Ghana needs ‘leader’ Asamoah Gyan very badly – Sammy Kuffour

ALSO READ: ‘Egypt loss will not affect Ghana in quarter-finals’ – Avram Grant

The Black Stars will face DR Congo for a place in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

However, there is a growing possibility that the nation’s all-time topscorer will not feature in the clash, having injured himself in Ghana’s last group game against Egypt.

Gyan suffered a muscle strain while attempting to chase down a long ball, leading to his early substitution in the game.

ALSO READ: AFCON 2017 ‘Gyan’s injury is not looking good’ – Avram Grant

Kuffour – who once played for Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations and in the World Cup – believes the importance of the skipper going into the quarter-final encounter cannot be underestimated, adding that he makes the team “play better”.

“My worry is Asamoah Gyan. How can he be fit to feature in that game [the quarter-final clash against DR Congo]? Because he is our talisman; he is our leader and we need him badly in this team,” Kuffour said while on punditry duties on Supersports.

“You could see [if] Jordan plays around him, they [the team] always play better because he makes the runs and he is clever. Send in the balls [and] tries to get his goal. So I think without him, I would love to see what the coach will bring out.”

ALSO READ: AFCON 2017 Black Stars battle ready for any team in quarter-finals – Osei Palmer

The Black Stars are looking to end a trophy drought which dates back to 1982 when they last lifted the Africa Cup of Nations.

And Black Stars coach Avram Grant will be hoping to have his captain back in time for the crunch quarter-final encounter with DR Congo.