It gives me great pleasure to write you this open letter. To me, you have been an absolute legend thanks to your service with the Black Stars over the last 11 years.
I was privileged to be at the Kumasi Sports Stadium during a GHALCA top four clash between Liberty Professionals and Asante Kotoko in 2003. Even though Liberty Professionals lost 1-2 on the day, your performance earned you the man-of-the-match award.
Your exploits for the national team since then is the stuff of legend and now, not only are you Ghana’s record goal scorer with 42 goals, but you are also the African top scorer in World Cup competition with 6 goals.
You remain Ghana’s most important player and there were very few complaints when you became the captain of the national team.
The reason why I write you this letter is that honestly I am very worried about the current team spirit in camp. You were a member of the team that was captained by Stephen Appiah and back then, many commended the squad for the unique spirit of togetherness, which was a main reason why Ghana qualified for the 2006 World Cup.
As a young striker, you took full advantage and scored some great goals to see us through. The reason why I write this is that since you became captain, you have tried brilliantly to lead by example on the pitch, but it would seem that over the last couple of years, you have had to deal with simmering tensions and cracks in camp.
You displayed an act of maturity when you allowed Sulley Muntari to wear the arm band for the World Cup qualifier against Sudan in Kumasi and soon after, there were murmurings that Muntari wanted the armband on a permanent basis; a situation that culminated in his outburst at Kwesi Appiah in Lesotho.
You have had to contend with all this, which eventually resulted in an implosion at the 2014 World Cup. You must have been unhappy with the incidents; especially Kevin Prince Boateng’s clash with Kwesi Appiah, as well as Sulley Muntari’s altercation with Black Stars management member Moses Armah.
No one says that you and the players have no input when it comes to important decisions such as appearance fees and match winning bonuses amongst other things, but after the events of 2014, you will need to be a stronger captain to restore team unity in camp.
It is interesting to note that it was the trio of Michael Essien, Muntari and Boateng who were seen to be the ‘rebel leaders’ if you like, and of course you have to stand up for the rights of your team-mates, but you must act as a good leader to ensure that things do not spiral out of control in the future.
In as much as some of your team-mates may have serious concerns, as captain you are supposed to calm tensions in camp, as well as putting across the concerns of your team-mates to management in a clear and non-aggressive way.
My guess is that Muntari, Essien and Boateng rather undermined your authority and manipulated you into an impossible situation in Brazil.
Make no mistake about it; the fact that none of them is around in the squad just called up doesn’t mean that your struggles are over.
Remember the Germany game? You should have received an assist fro Jordan Ayew to perhaps have put the game beyond the Germans, but he went for glory. You tried to mask things by apologizing on his behalf after the game, but it is clear that some players are focused on self glorification rather than fighting for the team.
I am sorry I have to be blunt with you, but Andre and Jordan Ayew are prime examples. Both players are hugely talented, but sometimes I get the feeling that they are playing for themselves rather than for the team.
Do not forget that Andre is nursing a long held ambition to captain the Black Stars himself and so you have it all to do to bring both brothers onside and let them know the value of playing for the team.
I know you have good relationships with them but you need to go a step further in instilling togetherness, not only in them, but in the rest of your team-mates.
This is the time for you to be more decisive in leading the team and that can be done in taking interest in the entire team; constantly speaking to the younger and newer members of the squad and if I may say so; projecting a more serious image.
I know how much you love to be the cheerleader in camp but I believe it is time for a sterner visage so that all your team-mates will take you seriously and respect you more than they already do.
With the 2015 African Nations Cup qualifiers set to start, I have no doubt that you will give off your best as you always do, but it is now time for you to re-unify the squad as captain. That will only enhance your legendary status.
Thanks for your time and good luck, Asamoah Gyan.
