Gyan calls for focus as Ghana face Germany next

Asamoah Gyan is ready to overcome the hurt of Ghana's opening defeat at the World Cup and focus on the significant challenge against Germany.

The pair meet in Saturday’s World Cup showdown in Fortaleza with the Black Stars needing a win to get back in the mix for a second round place while the Germans push for qualification.

Ghana lost 2-1 to the United States on Monday in Group G in their opening game after conceding a goal in the first minute and another after 86 minutes.

“We hope to be more focused in our next match. We’ve got time and we’re professionals,” said the Black Stars captain, Gyan who together with his colleagues returned to training in Maceio on Tuesday.

“We need to sit down, take a long hard look at our errors and work hard.”

Rallying the team together for Saturday’s make-or-break meeting with Germany is key as they move on from the setback.

“We have to regain our focus and not let nerves get the better of us. It’s going to be a difficult match but we need to stick together more than ever and play our game.

“Germany are the group favourites and their morale will be high after beating a team of the calibre of Portugal 4-0. We won’t be feeling quite so good but we’ll be determined to do ourselves justice,” he said.

Though sitting third in Group G and needing a win to put themselves back in contention, Gyan is upbeat about Ghana's chances.

“I can’t say what’s going to happen but football always throws up a lot of surprises,” a hopeful Gyan said.