Former Ghana international Sulley Muntari has opened up about how Asamoah Gyan was unexpectedly given the Black Stars captaincy over him ahead of a crucial match against Sudan in 2013.
Speaking to 3Sports, the former AC Milan and Inter Milan midfielder recalled that he had previously captained Ghana in two World Cup qualifiers, including a match against Lesotho at the Baba Yara Stadium in 2012.
According to Muntari, with senior players like Michael Essien absent at the time, he was next in line for the captaincy. However, in the following game against Sudan, he was surprised to see the armband handed to Gyan without prior communication.
“I was the captain for the game against Lesotho in Kumasi and another match. When we went to Sudan, they gave the captaincy to Asamoah, and I was like, ‘No, I’m supposed to be the captain,’” Muntari recounted.
Feeling sidelined, Muntari confronted Gyan privately to discuss the matter.
“I walked into Asa’s room and told him, ‘Asa, I am supposed to be the captain, not you. If Baffour (Gyan’s older brother) was around and they gave me the captaincy, I wouldn’t take it because I know he deserves it. It’s the same thing here.’”
Gyan then explained that he had already signed documents confirming his appointment as team captain.
“He said, ‘Muta, I went there, and they made me sign everything,’ and I said, ‘Okay.’”
Despite the disagreement, Ghana secured a 3-1 victory over Sudan, with Gyan scoring twice and Muntari also getting on the scoresheet.
The issue of the Black Stars captaincy has remained a controversial topic in recent years. In October 2023, the decision to name Mohammed Kudus as captain ahead of Jordan Ayew in Thomas Partey’s absence sparked debate during the international break.
