How Asamoah Gyan Scored Priceless Goal For Ghana Despite Suffering From Malaria Revealed

• Ghana's leading all-time top scorer Asamoah Gyan has served the nation with priceless moments to savor
• One of the moments cherished by followers of the game was his breathtaking goal against Algeria at the 2015 AFCON, where Ghana finished in second place behind Côte d'Ivoire
• Apparently Gyan's goal against the Desert Foxes was scored with the striker suffering from Malaria before the game

Asamoah Gyan has narrated how he managed to score a crucial goal for Ghana during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations despite being diagnosed with Malaria.

The prolific skipper who had missed Ghana's opening game against Senegal was named in the starting lineup in a make-or-break tie against a star-studded Algeria team.

With Gyan diagnosed with Malaria before the game, the ex-Ghana captain put his body on the line to play full throttle and came up tops when he scored a last-gasp goal to secure a one-nil win for the Black Stars.

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Opening up on what was later described as the 'Malaria goal' Gyan narrated in an excerpt of his autobiography first published by Joy Sports.

"We faced the might of Algeria on a cold evening on 23rd January 2015. I walked onto the pitch breathless, looking pale and sickly but yet with the heart of a warrior ready to cause damage to the opponent. My body wanted to sit down but my love for the team and my country wouldn’t let me."

"The game started, and I had a chance but couldn’t do much with the ball. The Algerians, realising how unwell I was, kept pushing me off the ball at the least opportunity. I kept pushing on but lacked the characteristic sharpness of my play."

"The team tried to keep the game going by helping me in an attack. Everyone realised how ineffective and out of place I was on the field. It was so bad that the coach called me and asked if I was ready to be subbed. I know how much respect Avram had for me and coupled with the fact that I was a captain, he understood the need for me to be supportive of his actions."

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"I explained to him that I had the inkling that I would score, and he should give me some more time. I felt there was something ahead that would open up a chance for me to get that all-important goal."

"During halftime, things seemed gloomy, but my presence in the dressing room uplifted the team. I encouraged them not to give up and push harder. I told them we had victory assured and after the 90 minutes, we would be victorious."

"Avram stood smiling at the passion with which I spoke. I am sure he enjoyed watching the captain exert himself this well on the other teammates. We returned to the pitch with a lot of confidence. In the second half, things got tougher for me. I felt awful. My whole body ached, excruciatingly. I took each step with great difficulty. Running left me breathless. Each attack saw me gasping for air. The earth would be spinning at times and I had to steady myself."

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"The Algerians had a clear chance to score, but they missed after the shot went wide of the goal. It was still a goalless draw in the 90th minute. As I trudged along the pitch, I wondered if my presence had counted for nothing. Was all the pain in vain? Had I risked my life for nothing at all?"

"I reminded myself that I had done my bit and pushed as hard as I could and even if we drew the game, I had done my bit to ensure the team qualified. In the 92nd minute, the worth of that sacrifice was seen. Wakaso had the ball in our half. He saw me making the run. Till date, I still wonder why he took that chance to try and reach me."

"I mean I had been woeful through the game and lacked any possibility of getting a goal. But he still believed in me. He hit the ball towards me. It was a long pass from our half to attack. When the ball was in mid-flight, a lot of things went through my mind. Should I chase and see what comes out of it? Or I should just let it go."

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"I was exhausted after running around for 90 minutes. But when the ball hit the ground I knew I could do it. It was a do or die affair for me. I knew this was less than a half-chance but everything was possible."

Asamoah Gyan reveals conversation with Essien before he scored at Stamford Bridge

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Asamoah Gyan has made an interesting revelation about his 2010 display for Sunderland in their game against Chelsea in the English Premier League.

The former Ghana captain, who had arrived in England from France disclosed he told compatriot Michael Essien he was going to score against Chelsea.

Gyan ended up scoring against the then league leaders Chelsea to inspire Sunderland to a famous win at Stamford Bridge and in an interview with Asaase FM, the 36-year-old recounts how Essien thought he was joking.