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03.09.2014 Sports News

Gyan says it's time to look forward

03.09.2014 LISTEN
By Ghana FA

Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan says it's time for the nation to rally together and put the World Cup experience behind it as they begin another campaign.

Though the Black Stars suffered the disappointment of a first round exit at the World Cup in Brazil, the striker says they have picked lessons from their failings and its one that will serve well in the future.

Gyan insists they must move on with the 2015 Africa Nations Cup campaign about to start.

Ghana host Uganda in their opening Group E qualifier at the Baba Yara Stadium on Saturday before travelling to Togo for Wednesday's second group fixture.

"We met at the training grounds and everything was okay. You could see the reaction of the fans which we do accept it, they showed disappointment in our last display in Brazil and and we do accept it too," the Black Stars captain said after training on Tuesday.

"I would like to apologise to the fans because they've been behind the team for all this while and at the end of the day we disappointed them and which we do agree.

"We need to make sure we win our fans back by winning the upcoming two games to make everybody happy. It's very important. The main important thing is I have to apologise for our performance [in Brazil] which wasn't deliberate."

Ghana's build up to the qualifying fixtures have been awash with criticisms from some fans and the media but Gyan says all will have to encourage the team to move on.

"I had to appeal to them[fans] about our mistakes, we know they are angry about our performance.

"I did apologise to them and made them know we are all Ghanaians. Things happen and when things go wrong, this is time they have to support the players and not to discourage them. We have young talents coming up. If you use abusive words on them and their confidence go down, are you trying to make it work or worse," Gyan said.

"But this is the time we appeal to the fans to be behind the team because without them it's going to be really difficult. We appeal to the press also to support the team despite the criticisms. We appeal to all Ghanaians to support the team and give us the morale. I am sure we will put up a good performance and that comes always with a win in Ghana."

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