Few can dispute that Asamoah Gyan always makes headlines. He loves to do things his own special way and has developed a knack for setting unusual records. Some would say he over-elaborates. Some would call it sheer flair. But none can dispute his huge potential.
The striker has scored 22 goals in 44 international appearances for the Black Stars, grabbed the quickest goal at the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, where he struck after just 68 seconds against the Czech Republic and then went on to convert a penalty which was disallowed before missing with his re-taken attempt.
Who could have predicted that this same player would become the iconic symbol of tears of joy and tears of pain that have become the lasting memories of Africa's first ever World Cup? His goal against USA to push Ghana to the quarterfinals is ranked among the top 10 most inspirational moments of SA 2010. Whilst his penalty miss against Uruguay has been voted number 3 in the World Cup's Most Shocking Moments.
When Gyan headed for Rennes in an 8-million-Euros move in July 2008, although his form was disrupted by injury he still made 47 appearances and scored 14 goals. Yet you always felt that the player's best was some way off and he showed glimpses of that during the World Cup in South Africa.
The 24-year-old with a degree of musical notes in his blood has always said that playing in the English Premier League was a dream and now he is living that dream. What a way to open your account in the world's most exciting and in terms of numbers, the most patronized football league.
Whoever wrote the script for Gyan on his Sunderland debut did a near perfect job and the athletic Ghanaian was not about to fluff his lines with millions of curious viewers around the world asking if the former Udinese and Rennes forward was really worth $20 million.
His new coach Steve Bruce has had to answer questions about the wisdom in bringing in the talented but somewhat inconsistent forward.
Afterall $20 million is not peanuts even by English Premier League standards. But whatever he told Gyan before the player's second half introduction, it worked.
With his five-man midfield holding on against Wigan, Bruce gambled and threw on the Ghanaian. Then in the 66th minute of the stalemate, Gyan announced his presence in England. No wonder the commentator screamed ''Now who else but the man from Ghana Gyan.....he has only gone and scored a clinical goal on his debut'' Not a bad way to get noticed even if the final score was 1-1.
The week leading up to the resumption of the league after international duty, football pundits here in England were divided as to the impact or otherwise that Gyan would make. The player himself had been upbeat and very confident of making a mark one way or the other. That resolve did not shake. Not even when his side went down to playing with 10 men away from home against Wigan Athletic.
To fully appreciate what an instant and early impact Gyan has made for his club, consider that Saturday nights offer a variety of entertainment and sports programmes on British television and the ratings war is pretty fierce. A minute is priceless especially when you are competing against names like Rooney, Drogba and Torres.
So for Asamoah Gyan to get a few minutes devoted to his first goal in the Premier league is a blessing for a player who has had his fair share of football turbulence and turmoil. Should we wait and not get too excited? After all it is only one goal right?
Sunderland fans would disagree. There is nothing wrong with basking in a great goal, a win or cup triumph especially the potential pairing with England striker Darren Bent and with another Ghanaian potential Danny Welbeck in the pipeline. There would certainly be bigger tests and stiffer opposition to come but this could be the beginning of good things to come for Gyan and Ghanaians would be hoping that he can maintain this sort of form and confidence for both club and country.
By the way it is Arsenal at home for the Black Cats this weekend. Now that should be a true contest with no less than 7 Africans set to play a part from Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Ghana.
By Yaw Ampofo Ankrah
Yaw Ampofo Ankrah is an international Sports Journalist currently on a tour of Europe. He will be tracking down some of Ghana's prominent as well as lesser known footballers. In this article he reflects on the impressive start made by Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan on his English Premier League debut for Sunderland.
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