My ‘Football Age’ is 50, Yet My Eldest Child is 47 – Former Ghana Midfielder Confesses to Age-Cheating

Former Ghanaian footballer Kofi Ntow Gyan has confessed to reducing his age during his career.

Gyan, who played for Asante Kotoko, revealed that although his official documents show him as 50 years old, his oldest son is actually 47.

This admission highlights the issue of age-cheating, which has been a significant problem in African football.

In the past, age-cheating led to some players being disqualified from youth tournaments after failing MRI scans.

However, the problem has decreased in recent years due to efforts by CAF and FIFA to eliminate it. Gyan’s statement adds a personal perspective to the issue.

He mentioned on Peace FM that he reduced his age by 10 to 15 years and prefers not to reveal his real age to avoid further complications.

He expressed disbelief at the official records, saying it was impossible for him to have a son only three years younger than his stated age.

Gyan has been vocal against age-cheating, arguing that it does not benefit footballers or the sport in Ghana.

During the All-Star Festival organized by the Business Africa Consulting Group last year, he emphasized the need for honesty in football. He believes that ending age-cheating is crucial for the genuine development of the game in the country.

Gyan is the second Ghanaian player to admit to age reduction, following Joe Tagoe of Hearts of Oak, who made a similar confession last year.