Gyan could still be captain for Ghana against Malawi

By Ameenu Shardow

Asamoah Gyan could end up captaining Ghana for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Malawi.

The Black Stars host The Flames in Accra in the ultimate qualifier without substantive captain John Mensah who did not make the 24-man squad of coach Akwasi Appiah.

Deputy captain Michael Essien is also not in the team – opening an opportunity for the next senior player of the current side to take over.

Midfielder Derek Boateng has been talked of as the next in line according to the Ghana FA’s hierarchy based on seniority.

Boateng could however miss out in the captaincy on technicalities due to his long absence from the Black Stars before and after the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

As a result, the GFA’s Communications Director Ibrahim Sannie-Daara suggests as GHANAsoccernet.com deduced, that Asamoah Gyan could well end up with the captain’s armband on October 8.

“Derek (Boateng) was absent from the national team for a long time so it’s the reason why Derek will sit with the coach alongside Asamoah (Gyan) where a decision will be made,” he said on GTV’s Stage Africa Sports discussion show.

“The is that of the coach but guided by seniority and we are also being guided by history on this issue.”

The Ghana FA had earlier debunked reports Gyan will be made the substantiv captain of the side beyound the crucial two-legged tie.