Grant: Asamoah Gyan remains Ghana captain

Al Ain striker Asamoah Gyan will remain as captain of Ghana, new Black Stars coach Avram Grant has said at a press conference.

Speaking to the media in Accra Thursday, the ex-Chelsea manager assured he has a lot of confidence in the former Sunderland goal poacher and would want to keep him as the leader on the pitch.

The 29-year-old has led the four-time African champions to major tournaments including the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He is respected in the world and holds the record as the top African goal scorer at the global showpiece after edging out Cameroon’s Roger Milla.

Rumours have been rife that Olympic Marseille talisman Andre Ayew is in line to succeed the ‘Baby Jet’ when a new coach is announced, but the former boss of West Ham and Partizan Belgrade has given the assurance that the ex-Udinese striker will keep the national armband.

“There is no reason to replace Gyan as Ghana captain. I will speak with him later,” the Israeli pointed out. “I expect that we can improve in every area and we will improve; myself and my players. As far as I know, Gyan did a good job [at the World Cup].”

Grant stated he will be meeting the backroom staff to strategise ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea next January.

According to him, every Ghanaian has a chance to be called into the Black Stars once the player can prove “quality, good mentality and willingness to sacrifice for the nation.”

Grant will be leading Ghana to the Afcon 2015 where they have been paired with Senegal, Algeria and South Africa.