Al Ahli striker Asamoah Gyan scores as Ghana step up AFCON preparations with friendly win over Bunyodkor at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai

It turned out to be an inspired substitution from Ghana boss Avram Grant as Gyan rifled home in the 67th minute to break the deadlock against the Uzbekistan outfit.

Frank Acheampong then doubled the Black Stars’ advantage with 15 minutes to go as former Chelsea boss Grant ensured the majority of his squad got a run-out in Dubai.

“As a striker you need to put the ball into the back of the net but I wasn’t expecting it that early after coming on,” Gyan, who is his country’s all-time leading goalscorer, told Sport360.

“At the end of the day we won and everybody’s happy. It’s a one-off game and I think it builds our confidence before the tournament in Gabon.

“The boys are happy here and they’ve enjoyed Dubai, and it was good to have some Ghana fans here watching us too.”

The four-time Cup of Nations winners, who reached the final last time out in 2015, are in Group D alongside Mali, Egypt and Uganda.

The match was organised by SR9 Management in Dubai on Tuesday evening.

Lead photo Credit: Aaron Kearney