Asamoah Gyan has revealed that he will not be taking penalties during the Africa Cup of Nations because of a plea from his mother shortly before she died late last year.

The Ghana striker says that missing from the spot during the 2010 World Cup left him "psychologically down" and claims that he will take his mother's advice while on duty in South Africa.

Despite revealing that he would step up from 12 yards in a shootout, Gyan said: "I lost my mum recently and the one thing she said two weeks before she died, she emphasised, was these penalty kicks.

"I have to respect her decision for me not taking penalties for the team."

Sports Mole has taken a look at Ghana's chances of recording a victory in the competition for the first time since 1982.