Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan says he must step up his game if he is to play a competitive football amid calls for his inclusion in the Black Stars squad for the 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar.
The former Black Stars captain turned 36 in November last year, and has been inactive since leaving Ghana Premier League side Legon Cities at the end of last season.
Reacting to calls for his inclusion for the World Cup, the all-time Ghana topscorer insisted he is not physically ready to play at the moment.
“For now, I have not retired but I think I have to earn the call up. I have to train, stay fit, get a team to play and perform to earn a place in the team. I don’t have to be in the team at all cost because of what I have done, it doesn’t work that way”
Asked if he should be included as Cameroon did to Roger Miller as the twilight of his career, he said,
“It’s possible, it has happened before. I was young when Cameroon took Roger Milla to the World Cup even though he was not playing actively but much will depend on me, the most important thing is, I have to be fit physically but I feel I am naturally gifted player who can do anything on the field. Physically, I don’t think am ready. If I have to play competitive football, I have to step up my game to be fit” he told Peace FM.
Asamoah Gyan has not played for the Black Stars since the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt 2019.
Ghana qualified for the World Cup after edging Nigeria out on a two-legged playoff last month and have been drawn in Group H of the Mundial.
The Black Stars will face Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay at the global showpiece later this year in Qatar.