The 30-year-old striker, who sealed a season-loan deal from China’s SIPG Shanghai last Wednesday, came off the bench in the 72nd minute and side footed home for his team’s fourth goal after being teed up by Brazilian Everton Ribeiro.

Signs of the Ghana captain’s match fitness began to show but coach Cosmin Olariou will be encouraged with what he saw of the player, who scored 128 goals in 123 matches during his four years at the Garden City.

With both coaches fielding depleted sides after a number of UAE internationals were called up for their World Cup qualifiers, the Red Knights were far superior. Rodrigo Lima and Habib Fardan gave the hosts a half-time lead, before Waleed Hussain, Gyan and Ribeiro extended the lead in the second. Summer arrival Caio netted a consolation deep into stoppage time for Al Ain.

Both sides have three points each from two matches in Group B.

Lead picture credit: Al Ahli Club Twitter