Asamoah Gyan will not feature for the Black Stars at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after recusing himself from senior national team duty.

In a statement, he also mentions that he has retired.

The 33-year-old was expected to lead the Black Stars in their bid to end their 37-year wait for the Afcon trophy in Egypt but has decided to rule himself out.  

Gyan suggests he has been asked by head coach Kwesi Appiah to relinquish the captaincy and serve in a different capacity ahead of the tournament. 

Asamoah Gyan is Ghana’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals since his debut in 2003. The Kayserispor ace is also Africa’s leading top scorer at the World Cup with six goals in three tournaments. -ANALYSIS: Manner of Asamoah Gyan retirement reveals the true, fractured state of Black Stars