5 times Asamoah Gyan was the legend Black Stars needed at AFCON

Asamoah Gyan, affectionately known as 'Baby Jet' has been one of the most influential figures in the national team for close to two decades.

He captained the Black Stars for 6 years before losing it to compatriot Andre Ayew in the lead up to AFCON 2019.

Asamoah Gyan is the all-time leading goalscorer of the Ghana national team, with 51 goals.

He represented Ghana at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. With 6 goals, he is the top African goalscorer in the history of the World Cup.

Asamoah Gyan has also represented Ghana at the 2004 Summer Olympics and in six Africa Cup of Nations in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2017, helping them finish in third-place in 2008 and runner-up in 2010 and 2015.

With his seventh AFCON beckoning in Egypt, we look at the times he has stood up as a legend Black Stars needed at AFCON.

AFCON 2008

Ghana 2-1 Guinea

It was the opening game of the AFCON 2008 with hosts Ghana locking horns with Guinea. With a barren first half, the Black Stars were awarded a penalty in the 54-minute when Junior Agogo was fouled by Oumar Kalabane. 

With tension high, it was Asamoah Gyan rose to the occasion by dispatching the penalty to write his name in CAF history books as the first player to score in AFCON 2008.

AFCON 2010

Ghana 1-0 Angola

It was the AFCON Ghanaian touted as a one goal project. With Ghana playing hosts Angola in the quarter-final of the AFCON 2010 at the Estádio 11 de Novembro.

Gyan struck a perfectly weighted through ball from Kwadwo Asamoah wide of Angola's goalkeeper Carlos Fernandez for the decisive goal in the 16th minute that sent the Black Stars to the semi-final of the competition.

AFCON 2010

Ghana 1-0 Nigeria

Gyan rose highest to head home the all-important goal from Kwadwo Asamoah's corner which sent Nigeria out from the tournament.

AFCON 2012

Ghana 2-0 Mali

Gyan scored his first goal in the tournament by scoring the opening goal with a wonderful freekick against Mali in the Group Stage.

AFCON 2015:

Ghana 1-0 Algeria Gyan's goal against Algeria

With Ghana losing their opening game 2-1 against Senegal without their talisman Asamoah Gyan through illness. The malaria-stricken Gyan returned to the lineup in Black Stars second game against Algeria in which he scored the only goal of the match. 

The striker showed his class when he latched on a long pass from Wakaso Mubarak and shot pass goalkeeper, Rais Mbolhi, from a tight angle. 

A goal he has described as his favourite Africa Cup of Nations moment. 

“That day, it was quite impossible. In life, that’s what we always say, everything is possible. Honestly, I was the happiest man and my celebration even surprised me because I was weak,” Gyan recounted. 

“I said to myself did this just happened? It was amazing because everything sounded like Ghana was out of the competition.”

“I will never forget this day, never forget it because I felt so happy and wanted to dance all over the place like I usually do but I was weak. The players were very happy and they told me they will never forget what I did.” 

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