Asamoah Gyan

Asamoah Gyan undoubtedly enjoyed the best year of his career so far with outstanding performances in two major tournaments for Ghana.

The year started promisingly for Gyan as he helped his country to reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations where they lost 1-0 to Egypt.

With key players Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, John Mensah and Michael Essien ruled out of January's tournament in Angola, the Black Stars young squad looked to Gyan for inspiration.

He stepped up to the plate and delivered a world class performance by scoring three of the four goals that helped his country to reach the final for the first time in 18 years.

The 24-year-old took his impressive form to the World Cup in South Africa six months later and his three goals at the tournament helped Ghana reach the quarter finals.

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Gyan's heroics at the global tournament made him the second highest African goal scorer in World Cup history, one behind Cameroon legend Roger Milla.

But his exploits this year were not confined to the Black Stars.

At club level, his 13 goals helped the middle-ranking French side, Rennes finish ninth in the table.

He earned a record transfer to Sunderland in August and showed his predatory instincts on his debut when he nipped in ahead of Steve Gohouri to stab home a left-footed volley on the edge of the six-yard box in the 1-1 draw with Wigan.

On the downside, his inability to convert the last-minute penalty against Uruguay ultimately denied Africa its first semi-final place at the World Cup in July.

He also lost his temper and struck an opponent during the Nations Cup qualifier against Sudan last month which resulted in him being sent off.

Despite his non-superstar status, Fifa recognized his performance and nominated him among the 23-man shortlist for the 2010 World Player of the Year.

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