Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has come under fire on social media for 'disrespecting' and causing the premature retirement of legend Asamoah Gyan from the Black Stars.
The country's all-time leading goal-scorer Gyan made an unexpected international retirement on Monday after Appiah revealed his decision to strip him of the captaincy.
The 33-year-old called time on his international career just one month before the start of the African Nations Cup in Egypt.
His sudden retirement came shortly after coach Kwesi Appiah removed Gyan as the national team’s captain.
Striker Gyan has recently gained top form at Turkish club Kayserispor scoring three goals in two matches in the past one week after persistent injury problems since September 2017.
With his recent resurgence he was expected to play a key role in Egypt but coach Appiah's decision to strip him of the captaincy of the Black Stars led to the decision to quit.
“Upon consultation with my family and team, and as an active footballer and captain of the national team, if the decision of the coach is to give captaincy of the tournament to another player while I am named in the team (squad) of the tournament, I wish to recuse myself from the tournament,” Gyan said in a statement.
“I also wish to retire from the national team permanently,” he said.
The 33-year-old netted 51 goals in 106 international appearances, both Ghana national team records, which includes scoring at six consecutive Nations Cup finals, as well as three World Cups between 2006 and 2014.
Some Ghanaians have taken to social media to blast Kwesi Appiah accusing him of forcing out Gyan despite his contributions to the national team.
Below are some of the comments accusing coach Appiah of disrespecting Gyan
@ASAMOAH_GYAN3 is been disrespected and this is disgusting For a man who raised the flag of Ghana high to be treated this way is an acceptable and shameful There's no sense in doing this at all and he deserved better than this Shame on Ghana Football and Kwesi Appiah
— Ahmed Tinny (@AhmedTinny2) May 21, 2019
Total stupidity and disrespectful to a man who's our Leading goal scorer in history of the National team Why this at this time? Isn't it already his last tournament that was going to take part and retire?
— Ahmed Tinny (@AhmedTinny2) May 21, 2019
Akwasi appiah is not serious. Let him vacate his position as the coach and put his spiritual people there. Clearly he was not given the job based on competence but just "Ghana man do also do".
— kingsley Obeng ???? (@kingsleyobeng77) May 20, 2019
If u have a captain scoring goes n u say u are going to pick another captain Kwasi is confuse
— Bernard Addae (@BernardAddae6) May 20, 2019
asamoah gyan has taken a firm decision unlike our coach who has acted lackadaisically since day one on issues of this nature.. Very pathetic n equally disappointing..!
— Opoku Adusei Henry Jr. (@faculty2020) May 20, 2019
I think Asamoah Gyan has some personal reasons not to be the General Captain because we can see Thiago loosing his captaincy to Neymar and they are on a good run,same reference to Vincent & Eden so we have to fish this out because I think we need even his appearance.
— PRINCEFIELD???? (@KPrincefield) May 20, 2019
But now the talk will be about the captaincy!!! And God help them and they don’t win the trophy ?. Ha they will see the real emotion of Ghanaian! I expect much better from Kwesi Appiah. Pathetic
— king?ken???? (@badualex13) May 20, 2019
I tnk we need to drop Kwasi Appiah before e afcon start because ESE will be our useless afcon we HV attended n I tnk Ghana is going to make me win bet n will go against Ghana so keep on mentaing Kwasi alliance
— Bernard Addae (@BernardAddae6) May 20, 2019
Hmmmm very sad Think its time we have to learn how to RESPECT legends G.O.A.T ✌Baby Jet
— Nana Yaw (@ArmaniVivinel) May 20, 2019
@ASAMOAH_GYAN3 den who will score for us Kwasi Appiah God will punish him paaa Baby Jet God knows best, forget dem lemme said dis in ma painful words they will knock us in group stage in de name of God? Since dey formed Ghana ?? National Team there’s no superb Striker than u
— Nana Negredo (@NanaNegredo) May 20, 2019
Thanks baby jet for all you've done for your motherland, God bless you. I sad when I saw this letter because my hope was you winning the afcon 2019 before retiring from the national team. I was even more sad when I heard rumours abt you being bad luck, I'm shocked. Eii Ghana hmm
— iam abee (@abee11101074) May 20, 2019
@ASAMOAH_GYAN3 you gave so much to a nation which doesn't deserve you... playing through pain barriers n career threatening injuries, foregoing top transfer deals just to represent your country in tournaments...A decision well made tho I will miss you King..eewo le monko
— Koforidua Asamoah Gyan (@Mendy_Boateng) May 20, 2019
Asamoah dwene wo ho. I support you 5000xbillion% Black star will soon be under construction again. Shame to AP n d management team.?
— TETTEH ENOCH (@TETTEHE32838481) May 20, 2019
Thats all big bro...They don't want to give you the necessary respect ..you have done more than any player has done in the team and they still paint you black ...you are the best .
— greatness within (@mcspoky) May 20, 2019
Don't pretend and act as if you don't know the chronology of the underlying feud between Gyan and Andre of this captaincy issue. Why must the coach take such critical decision a month to the start of the tournament knowing this is Gyan's last participation.
— Maxwell Boakye Yiadom (@BrilliantMaxy) May 20, 2019
If we are to call the spade spade and the shovel shovel, @AyewAndre you don't even deserve a call up..I tell you. When was the last time you @AyewAndre scored or assisted?@ASAMOAH_GYAN3 presence alone is heaven to Ghana not you @AyewAndre
— Mr. E. K. Offen (@eben_offen) May 20, 2019
Ghanaians have been unfairly critical of Asamoah Gyan. He has been the best and most consistent striker since he joined the team in 2003. We attack every damn thing he does and justify it when other people do same. We have thrown hate at him undeservedly and that is wrong.
— Ferdinand (@QwejoBoakye) May 20, 2019