Former Ghana international Sulley Muntari has opened up on a heated episode in the Black Stars camp, where he was unexpectedly overlooked for the captain’s armband in favour of Asamoah Gyan.

Muntari recalled that he had captained Ghana in World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and another fixture in 2012, stepping in as one of the most senior players in the squad during Michael Essien’s absence. Naturally, he expected to lead the team again in the following qualifier against Sudan in 2013.

However, to his surprise, the armband was handed to Gyan.

“I was the captain for the game against Lesotho in Kumasi and another match. When we went to Sudan, they gave the captaincy to Asamoah, and I was like, ‘No, I’m supposed to be the captain,’” Muntari told Sportsblog247.com.

Unhappy with the decision, Muntari confronted Gyan privately in his hotel room.

“I told him, ‘Asa, I am supposed to be the captain, not you. If Baffour (Gyan’s elder brother) was around and they gave me the captaincy, I wouldn’t take it because I know he deserves it. It’s the same thing here.’”

According to Muntari, Gyan responded by saying he had already signed official papers confirming his appointment as team captain. “He said, ‘Muta, I went there, and they made me sign everything,’ and I said, ‘Okay.’”

Despite the internal tension, Ghana went on to beat Sudan 3-1, with Gyan netting a brace and Muntari also getting on the scoresheet.

Captaincy Controversies in the Black Stars

The issue of leadership in the Black Stars has long been contentious. In 2019, coach Kwesi Appiah’s decision to strip Gyan of the armband and hand it to Andre Ayew caused widespread debate.

History also points back to the 1992 AFCON, when Anthony Yeboah was controversially overlooked for captaincy in Abedi Pele’s absence, with Tony Baffoe wearing the armband instead.

The debate resurfaced again in recent times when Otto Addo named Mohammed Kudus captain against Sudan in October, only to reinstate Jordan Ayew a month later.

For Muntari, the moment in 2013 remains a reminder of how deeply the captaincy question has shaped—and sometimes shaken—the Black Stars.