Retires due to the "intolerable" abuse for his AFCON penalty miss...

Black Stars and  Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) striker, Asamoah Gyan, has decided to take an "indefinite break" from international football following Ghana's unceremonious exit from the 2012 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The striker has been the subject of butt jokes and criticism from his countrymen after missing a penalty in Ghana's semi-final game against Zambia at the African Cup. The miss left the game goalless at half time before a 78th minute strike from Mayuka sailed the Zambians into final where they eventually beat Ivory Coast to lift the trophy.

On Friday, the 26-year old striker, in a letter to the Ghanaian Football Association (GFA), said he has decided to quit international football for the time being due to the "intolerable" abuse from the Black Stars fans.

The striker said it had been "an incredible honour" to represent his country having made his debut as a 17-year-old in 2003, adding that he will notify the GFA  if he wish to return in the future.

Gyan has scored 28 goals in 59 games for his country and netted on his debut against Somalia nine years ago.

dailytimes.com