Asamoah Gyan has spoken highly of the Africa Cup of Nations, tagging the tournament as of equal importance to him as the FIFA World Cup.
The Ghanaian legend shared his thoughts on the tournament during an interview on Rio Ferdinand’s “Rio Presents”.
Ferdinand also questioned the rationale behind the timing of the tournament, with the competition being fixed at the halfway stage of the European season.
Rio Ferdinand expressed that the timing of the AFCON could act as an impediment to African players during transfers.
In response to Rio, Gyan indicated that this conversation has lingered in his mind as well and called on the intervention of FIFA or CAF.
He stated: “This is something I have thought about for many years because it affects most clubs with African players. I believe there should come a time when FIFA or CAF takes a decision to move the tournament to the off-season.”
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is taking place between the 21st of December 2025 and will end on the 18th of January 2026. Ghana didn't qualify for the showpiece.
Expectedly, the Black Stars will be looking to participate at AFCON 2027, which will take place in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania between June and July of 2027.
The 40-year-old additionally talked about his penalty miss in regulation time of the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals clash against Uruguay.
Ghana were awarded a penalty after Luis Suarez stopped the ball from going into the net with his hand in the dying minute of extra time.
Referee Olegario Benquerenca dismissed Luis Suarez straightaway, with Asamoah Gyan stepping up to take the subsequent penalty and blasting it, agonizingly, to the crossbar.
Gyan pointed out that he received much respite by scoring in the shootout after the game had ended 1-1, even though Ghana ultimately lost out by 4-2 on penalties.
The ex-Sunderland man further revealed that he had forgiven Luis Suarez, as he understood that the Uruguayan was basically trying “to save his country”.
Moreover, Rio Ferdinand asked Asamoah Gyan about the current striker who “excites” him, and he mentioned Galatasaray and Nigerian goal-poacher Victor Osimhen.
He poured much encomiums on the 27-year-old and jokingly chipped in that Osimhen should sign for English giants Manchester United.
Conclusively, Gyan waded in on the rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria, conveying that both countries love each other but don't want to see one succeed over the other.
In the 21st century, Asamoah Gyan is one of Ghana’s most successful internationals, having represented the country at the 2010 and 2015 AFCON finals against Egypt and Ivory Coast respectively, where the Black Stars finished as runners-up.
The former Serie A star is Ghana’s all-time top goalscorer with 50 goals in 108 matches, while also providing 13 assists in the process. Gyan played at three FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010 and 2014).
