Ghana's Gyan announces return to national football team

Ghanaian international Asamoah Gyan has announced his decision to return to the national team, the Black Stars, after a five-month absence, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) said here.

The UAE-based Al Ain striker retired from the senior team through a statement to the GFA in February this year, saying he was frustrated over the verbal abuse he had received after playing for the country at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, reported Xinhua.

He, however, sent a letter to the GFA Wednesday reversing his earlier decision to quit the Black Stars.

Gyan, who has scored 28 goals in 59 games for Ghana, cited the "intolerable" abuse he suffered after the Black Stars' exit from the Nations Cup as part of his reasons.

"Following my letter February 16, I wish to inform you that I am now ready to be selected for my national team of Ghana," Gyan said in the letter to the GFA.

"The past five months have given me an opportunity to reflect," the player said, adding: "My friends, family and the 'football family of Ghana' have been incredibly supportive, and it is with their help that I have reached the decision to return to international duty."

"I am fully committed and focused on our clear goals ahead as a nation on the quest for qualification for both AFCON 2013 and the World Cup in 2014," he said.

The 26-year-old netted on his debut for the national team against Somalia nine years ago.

But he became received a lot of stick from home fans after missing a crucial penalty in Ghana's 0-1 semi-final defeat to Zambia in the Nations Cup, with many Ghanaian football lovers blaming him for the team's defeat.

The penalty he missed was similar to the one he missed at the quarter-final against Uruguay at the 2010 World Cup, where Ghana was knocked out.