Al Ain Move Rewarding …Asamoah Gyan

Gyan poses with his awards
Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has attributed his illustrious career to his decision to move to the Asian league.

Last Saturday, he was presented with the Best Foreign Player award in the Asian Football Confederation league with a plaque and a certificate, a few minutes before the team's workout.

His shock move from the most talk about league -EPL to the oil land in 2011 stoked a controversy, taking into account his razor sharp form at the time.

The three-time Asian league top scorer, however proved his critiques, who argued that the Asian league was not competitive enough to keep him in shape, wrong by stepping up his game.

He is currently Africa's all time top scorer (six goals) at the World stage, dethroning Cameroon legend Roger Miller with a superior goal difference.

Gyan did not lose his place in the senior national team, after a little over a decade of dedicated service.

Rather, his work rate earned him the Ghana captain's arm band, and has since qualified the Black Stars for a World Cup and two Nations Cups -South Africa and Equatorial Guinea.

Speaking with DAILY GUIDE SPORTS after receiving the Award Gyan noted, 'I thank God for my successful career. I owe my team mates and the technical staff loads of thanks too. Their diverse contribution has accounted for this success.

'This goes to show that the Asian league is competitive. My decision to move here is bearing fruits. Many criticized me when I decided to play in the Arab league, I think the criticism urged me on to go the extra mile.

'I will continue to work hard for club and country. I thank all who pray and wish me well. This will spur me on to work harder.'

Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic, with his backroom staff and the rest of the players, gathered to celebrate with their lethal striker before the morning's workout.

His heroics in the 2014 Champions League where he emerged top scorer with 12 goals - two more than closest rival Al Hilal's Nasser Al-Shamrani – earned him the prize.

The striker is one of the nominees for next January's Glo-CAF flagship prize slated for Lagos in Nigeria.

By Kofi Owusu Aduonum