It will be recalled that Gyan was one of the most underrated players during the 2008 AFCON hosted by Ghana, who has been the target of home fans for his profligacy in front of goal.
The criticism was so severe that the striker, then just 22 years old, planned to leave the camp with his senior brother, Baffour Gyan, after Ghana’s second group game against Namibia.
However, it took the intervention of then President John Agyekum Kufour to reverse the decision.
Gyan said the lack of open goals against Namibia remains one of his lowest points, but was quick to add that the criticism made him a stronger person.
“It made me a strong person. All my life, I was pampered and that’s how I developed a tough skin,” said on The Day Show on TV3.
“Statistically, we are ahead. The Ghanaians think we are going to beat them [Namibia] like 20-0. And it was one of those days. I was not lucky. I was one of the best players on the field but I was unlucky.
“One chance I got at an acute angle. The goalkeeper burst and the ball went down. The keeper was out and I just hit the ball wide.
“And the next day … hey! The first time I experienced criticism. So there was only insults. It’s really bad.”
The former Sunderland forward played for the Black Stars for half a decade, becoming his country’s top scorer with 51 goals.
He is also Ghana’s second most capped player, having played 109 times in various tournaments and matches.