Gyan Admits National Team Coaches Are Influenced In Player Selection

Veteran striker, Asamoah Gyan has admitted that Black Stars coaches are sometimes influenced by authorities to select certain players even though he notes that it is something that is practiced in other parts of the world as well.

Coaches of the Ghana national teams, the Black Stars in particular have always been criticized for handing call-ups to few players perceived as unknown or underperforming ahead of some in-form players for various assignments.

While many say coaches take such decisions because of influence from football leaders in the country, there are others who have also argued that coaches take bribes to give players the opportunity to play for the national team.

Speaking in a recent interview with Adom TV, Black Stars general captain Asamoah Gyan has given his take. According to him, there is always pressure from above on coaches to include certain players in their teams.

“Player influence is there. I have been in the game for a long time and it is not only in Ghana that you will see that, it happens in other parts of the world”

“Sometimes people put pressure on the coach to invite players of their choice. They don’t allow the coaches to select players on their own”, Asamoah Gyan said.

He added, “I don’t know if something like that happened during Kwesi Appiah’s tenure but with my experience I know it happens. I know there is always pressure from above for coaches to consider some players”.

Asamoah Gyan made his Black Stars debut in 2003 and has gone on to establish himself as the country’s all-time leading goal scorer with 51 goals from 109 appearances.