According to a report by KessbenTV, on Thursday October 29, 2026, former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has cautioned young and aspiring footballers against allowing womanizing and excessive alcohol consumption to derail their ambitions, stressing that discipline and dedication are essential for success in professional football.

The former Ghanaian international, popularly known as Baby Jet, gave the advice while addressing the media at an inter-community football gala organised by Newmont Gold Ghana as part of activities marking the company’s 20th anniversary.

The competition, which was held at the Ahafo Kenyasi AstroTurf, brought together football talents from surrounding communities with the aim of providing an opportunity for promising players to showcase their abilities before scouts and professional football teams.

Gyan, who attended the event as the special guest of honour, used the occasion to share lessons from his experience in professional football and encourage the young participants to approach their careers with the seriousness and commitment required to succeed at the highest level.

According to the former Black Stars skipper, aspiring footballers must be careful about the lifestyle choices they make, warning that excessive involvement in relationships and drinking could negatively affect their performances and prevent them from reaching their full potential.

He emphasised that possessing football talent alone is not enough to guarantee success, explaining that players must combine their natural abilities with discipline, hard work and a willingness to learn.

Gyan urged the young footballers to dedicate more time to training and improving their skills rather than engaging in activities that could distract them from their long-term ambitions.

He noted that the journey to becoming a professional footballer requires sacrifices, consistency and the ability to remain focused even when faced with distractions and temptations.

The former striker’s advice comes at a time when grassroots football competitions continue to serve as important platforms for identifying and nurturing emerging talents across Ghana.

Such events provide young players with opportunities to demonstrate their skills and potentially attract the attention of scouts and professional clubs.

The Newmont Gold Ghana inter-community gala was organised not only to celebrate the company’s 20-year presence but also to create opportunities for young people in the participating communities to pursue their football dreams.

Gyan’s presence added prominence to the competition, given his experience representing Ghana at major international tournaments and his career at both club and national-team levels.

His message to the participants was that young players must recognise the importance of making responsible decisions both on and off the pitch if they hope to build sustainable careers in football.

The event also highlighted the role that corporate organisations can play in supporting grassroots sports development by creating platforms where talented young people can display their abilities and gain exposure to potential professional opportunities.

For the young footballers who participated in the gala, Gyan’s counsel served as a reminder that reaching the professional level requires more than impressive performances during matches.

Maintaining discipline, committing to regular training and avoiding excessive drinking and other distractions can be equally important in determining how far a player progresses.

The former Black Stars captain encouraged the budding talents to remain focused on their goals, continue learning and make the sacrifices necessary to turn their football ambitions into reality.