Glo-CAF Awards: Asamoah Gyan eyes crown

Asamoah Gyan, tipped

Ghana International, Asamoah Gyan is confident that his country will once again produce another African Player of the Year, a feat last achieved by Abedi Pele Ayew.

Gyan, who moved to the English Premier League side, Sunderland last summer said his nomination for the Glo-CAF African footballer of the Year award this time will compensate Ghanaians who have agonized over the inability of Michael Essien to clinch the coveted title after five nominations in a row from 2005-2009.

'I am grateful to God for the nomination' the leggy forward told BBC Radio recently, adding, 'I also believe I have done enough to win'

The Ghanaian international, who joined Sunderland from Rennes of France described his nomination as befitting reward for his contributions to country and club. 'It shows that there is reward for consistency and dedication.

I was very outstanding at the Nations Cup in Angola, did well at the World Cup in South Africa and here at Sunderland, I could not have had a better start at a new club. All these have combined to put in me a strong position to win the African Player of the Year', Gyan remarked.

Gyan moved to Europe from Liberty Professionals of Ghana in 2003, settling at Italian side, Udinese.

He made a World Cup finals debut with Ghana's Black Stars at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where he impressed and was almost going to sign a record Russian transfer deal with Locomotiv Moscow.

However, he extended the contract at the Italian side to 2012 but had to move to French League 1 side Club Rennais, scoring 14 times in 48 appearances.