Asamoah Gyan is the Black Stars all-time topscorer
Legendary footballer Asamoah Gyan turns 40 today, November 22, 2026.
Gyan is widely regarded as the greatest goalscorer in Ghana’s football history and one of Africa’s finest. He remains Ghana’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals, a testament to his remarkable scoring prowess.
The former Sunderland star has delivered countless unforgettable moments that stir deep emotion among Ghanaians. His legacy lives on through the iconic goals he scored, many of which became historic because of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding them.
These goals created lifelong memories for Ghanaians privileged to witness the brilliance of one of Africa’s greatest strikers.
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Here are the top five unforgettable moments in Asamoah Gyan’s career:
1. Scoring Ghana’s first goal at the World Cup
Asamoah Gyan’s journey to becoming Africa’s highest scorer at the FIFA World Cup began in 2006 in Germany.
At just 21, he scored Ghana’s first-ever World Cup goal in a 2-0 win against the Czech Republic. He expertly controlled a pass from Stephen Appiah on his chest before placing the ball into the net with his weaker foot from just inside the box.
Gyan would go on to score five more World Cup goals across two more tournaments, cementing his place in football history.
The goal that sent Ghana to the World Cup quarterfinals
Among Gyan’s 51 goals for Ghana, his extra-time strike against the USA in 2010 is arguably the most significant of his career.
His stunning left-foot volley not only dazzled viewers but also propelled Ghana into the quarterfinals, making the Black Stars only the third African team ever to reach the last eight.
The goal that saved Ghana from AFCON exit in 2015
Gyan’s goal against Algeria at the 2015 AFCON felt almost miraculous.
With Ghana facing an embarrassing group-stage exit, Gyan, who had been battling malaria before the match, stepped up with a dramatic stoppage-time winner. Even more impressive, he scored from a very tight angle with trademark composure.
His equaliser against England
Throughout his career, Gyan often delivered when Ghana needed him most. One of those heroic moments came in 2011 at Wembley Stadium in a friendly against England.
With Ghana trailing 1-0, Gyan produced a sensational equaliser in stoppage time, considered by many as the best individual goal of his career. He picked up a loose ball at the edge of the box, dribbled past two England defenders, and curled a brilliant shot into the far post with his weaker foot.
SB/MA
Watch the goals below:
🎂 Happy Birthday to the legendary Asamoah Gyan! 🥳
✨ A true icon whose goals and leadership shaped an era for the #BlackStars. 🔥
Enjoy your day, Baby Jet! 3️⃣ @ASAMOAH_GYAN3 pic.twitter.com/LLxAzMn1fz
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) November 22, 2025
Meanwhile, watch the feature about Swedru All Blacks’ journey from the Division One to the GPL below
