Ghana's veteran striker Gyan Asamoah said on Wednesday he has backtracked on a decision to retire from international football, less than a month before the African Cup of Nations gets underway in Egypt. The 33-year-old announced his retirement on Monday in protest at being stripped off Ghana's captaincy, with the armband going to Fenerbahce winger Andre Ayew instead. "A presidential request is one that cannot be disregarded," Gyan said, according to Ghanasoccernet. "I have had the opportunity to speak with the father of the nation, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who though respecting my wishes as spelt in my letter of 20th May, 2019, has asked me to rescind my decision to retire permanently from the Black Stars. ''I have taken the request of his His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in good faith, and will make myself available for selection by coach Kwasi Appiah. ''My desire to help Ghana end the over three-decade long wait to annex the AFCON trophy still burns strong, and I remain committed to serving this great nation and the people of Ghana." Gyan started his international career at the age of 17 in a game against Somalia on 19 November 2003. He has 106 caps so far and is Ghana's all-time leading goal scorer with 51 goals. He represented Ghana at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. With six goals, he is the top African goal scorer in the history of the World Cup. Gyan has also represented Ghana at the 2004 Summer Olympics and in seven editions of the Nations Cup in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2017, helping the Black Stars finish third in 2008 and runner-up in 2010 and 2015. Ghana will play in Group F of the Nations Cup along with defending champions Cameroon, Benin and GuineaBissau. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
