Ex-Black Stars captain Kwasi Owusu says Asamoah Gyan could have only survived on the bench in the 60's and 70's, claiming he was far better and more complete than the Al Ain goal machine.
The former Bofoakwa Tano striker claims despite the international recognition of Gyan, he could not match up to him during his time.
Gyan is perhaps the biggest Ghanaian footballer with an international appeal following his record-breaking feats for the Black Stars over the last ten years.
But Kwasi Owusu, who never played abroad, has questioned the quality of the former Sunderland man, insisting he was far better than him.
“I think Gyan is a good striker and currently the best in the country but honestly, I was better than him although he possesses some of my qualities," Owusu told Goal.
“It is likely he would’ve been in the Black Stars team during our days - late 1960's and early 1970's - but he might be on the bench because of the quality players available at that time. The likes of Osei Kofi, Mfum, Ibrahim Sunday and Malik Jabir were top class players to match back then.
“I was using both feet to score goals more than Gyan is currently exhibiting and I was very good with my head too. I scored more than 70 goals for Ghana but I'm told only 39 were recognised as official goals because of lack of documents.
He added: “How can a player who hardly scores two goals and can’t even score hat-trick for country surpass me? He is not always serious in games. One goal is enough for him but that wasn’t my style. In 1970, I scored five against Niger at their home ground in the Afcon qualifiers and again scored four in the return fixture. That should underline that I was a force to reckon with in front of goal.
“Gyan rarely scores goals with his head but I scored more than 20 international goals with my head and several at club side.”
Gyan is Ghana’s all-time leading scorer with 46 goals in 90 international appearances but yet to win any continental trophy with the Black Stars.