Audio By Carbonatix
In the past 48 hours, Ghana has seen Asamoah Gyan write a statement disputing the judgement of his coach, Kwesi Appiah, and storming into a decision to retire.
Two days later, and with President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo intervening, Gyan is back.
Read: Gyan rescinds Black Stars retirement decision
Many expect Appiah to crack the whip and reward the player's open disrespect to him by dropping him from the AFCON squad.
But Gary Al-Smith reckons l this will not happen, for the following reasons:

1. The coach, himself, was a political appointment, pushed by this same President.
When he was elected in 2016, his 'Believe in Ghana' mantra meant that getting a Ghanaian to manage the Black Stars was best to fit his narrative.
The obvious choice was Kwesi Appiah, and he made sure it happened. Ironically, Asamoah Gyan was key in getting Appiah this reappointment in 2017.
2. Kwesi Appiah literally is backed into a corner because of this. Dropping Gyan will be seen, culturally, as disrespecting an elderly man. It will also be seen as biting the hand that fed you
3. Asamoah Gyan, ironically, is seen as a good option to have among the strikers because Ghana currently doesn't have a prolific set of strikers. Appiah knows that the 33-year-old will be good as a plan B on the bench at the tournament.
--
Latest Stories
-
JOY FM rolls out “Safari Experience” — a refreshing Ghana Month escape into nature, culture and connection
55 minutes -
Ghana loses over GH¢4.5bn annually to traffic congestion, new study on urban mobility shows
1 hour -
ADB unveils new corporate cloth, determines to dominate industry
1 hour -
Peak Milk extends Ramadan support following courtesy visit to national Chief Imam
1 hour -
No solo bid for Ken Agyapong — Joojo Rocky Obeng dismisses ‘third force’ calls as politically ridiculous
1 hour -
Today’s Front pages: Friday, February 13, 2026
2 hours -
5 arrested for open defecation at Osu Cemetery
2 hours -
A Home that Travels: How the Diaspora carries Pan-Africanism across borders
2 hours -
Obituary: Hon. Stanley Basil Bade Carboo
3 hours -
Government to absorb COCOBOD’s $150m losses as Cabinet directs immediate cocoa purchases – Finance Ministry
3 hours -
Mpraeso MP demands immediate probe and arrest over alleged exploitation of young Ghanaian women
3 hours -
‘No bed syndrome,’ and how a hit-and-run victim was refused emergency care by Ridge, Police, Korle Bu hospitals for close to 3 hours before he died
3 hours -
Give Love a second chance on Valentine’s Day – Counsellor Perfect
3 hours -
GSS generates the numbers that drive national development – Government Statistician Dr Iddrisu
4 hours -
We are not policy advisers, we generate the data – Government Statistician clarifies GSS’ role
4 hours
