Gyan yet to hit fine form for Al Ain

Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic says striker Asamoah Gyan needs more time to regain his prolific form after extending his barren run since his return from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 29-year-old looked out of sorts in Al Ain’s goalless draw in their opening Asian Champions League game at home to Al Shabab last Tuesday and the Ghana captain  has now gone two games without scoring since his return from the 2015 AFCON where he helped the Black Stars attain a silver-medal feat in Equatorial Guinea.

Coach Dalic admits his leading striker is struggling with his form but says he needs time to rediscover himself.

“Gyan, has been the best striker in the league for three consecutive seasons and the best scorer of the African continent and the AFC Champions League in 2014,” Dalic said after the Champions League draw with Al Shabab.

“But he stayed away for two months from the team and needs time to regain the form prior to joining the Ghana squad.”

Al Ain have not won a match since Gyan’s return even though they remain much in contention to win laurels in both the domestic league and in Asia.

Despite Ghana finishing second at the 2015 AFCON, the striker had a topsy turvy tournament, missing the opening game due to malaria but returned to score against Algeria to salvage the Stars campaign but was badly injured in the quarter-finals against Guinea. He, however recovered to play in the final, though he was far from full fitness.