Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan has asked for more time for AS Roma wunderkid Felix Afena Gyan before inviting him to the Black Stars.
The 18-year-old recently rejected a call up to the senior national team for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa earlier this month.
The Ghana Football Association stated the youngster was unavailable for the doubleheader.
According to reports, Afena Gyan had rejected the call up based on advice by his handlers to focus on his club career and development under Jose Mourinho.
Afena Gyan took center stage last weekend when he scored a brace to help AS Roma beat Genoa 2-0 in the Serie A.
His quick rise as led to calls for him to be invited to the Black Stars ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
However, the all-time leading top scorer for the Black Stars, Asamoah Gyan believes Afena-Gyan needs time to develop and may not be ready for the national team at this point.
“For now we should support him. He needs confidence, start scoring and play more matches. In this country there is no time, they don’t care whatever you are going through as long as they see you playing”, Asamoah Gyan told Asempa FM.
Asamoah Gyan also mentioned that the Ghanaian youngster could also be pressured because of having the name Gyan.
“For funny reasons, the name Gyan will even put pressure on him. If he goes somewhere they may compare him to me which may also bring a lot of pressure as well”.
Afena Gyan since bursting out on the big stage has played four games and scored two goals for AS Roma in the ongoing season.