Grant praises Gyan after dramatic Ghana win

Avram Grant described Asamoah Gyan as “one of the greatest players” he’s ever worked with after the Ghanaian captain scored a late winner to hand his side a 1-0 win over Algeria at the African Cup of Nations.

Needing a win to realistically keep alive their hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals of the competition, the former Sunderland striker struck late on to ensure Grant’s side will all but qualify for the last eight if they avoid defeat to South Africa in their final group game on Tuesday.

Praising Gyan, Grant said: “I have coached some of the great players – and he’s one of the greatest. Asamoah Gyan was not fit – he didn’t train like he needed to – but he’s Asamoah Gyan. First – he always scores when you need him, and he’s good for the spirit of the team; he’s a very good captain.

“But it’s not just the victory of one player. It’s the victory of a whole team. We rushed things in the first half but we are a young team and most of our players will play at least the next two Cups of Nations.

“We never let our heads go down and we managed to keep a clean sheet, nothing is decided in the group. We conceded a goal in the last minute against Senegal, so we deserved to get a last minute goal ourselves.”