Former Black Stars captain and all-time leading scorer, Asamoah Gyan, has opened up about the intense pressure and expectations he faced while playing for the Ghana national team.
According to Gyan, fans expected him to score in every match, a standard he set for himself through consistency and performance over the years.
“When I was playing for Ghana, people expected goals because that’s what fans want,” he said. “I created that expectation for myself by being consistent, so anytime Ghana played, people believed I would score.”
Gyan noted that failing to find the back of the net often attracted criticism, regardless of his overall contribution on the pitch.
“When I don’t score, then there is a problem. So anytime I’m going into a game, I pray and ask God to help me give the fans what they want,” he added.
He explained that the confidence fans had in his ability to score also came with heavy scrutiny.
“When people believe you can score at any time, you become the worst player when you don’t score and the best player when you do,” Gyan said.
The former striker’s reflections highlight the pressure elite footballers face while carrying the goal-scoring hopes of an entire nation.
Story by: Ernest Frimpong (0247220948) | Follow our social media platforms: @uktvghana
