The future of Andre Ayew with the Black Stars is a topic of much discussion, with former teammate Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu weighing in on the matter. Badu believes that Ayew should have the final say on whether he continues to play for the national team.
In a recent interview with Flashscore, Badu expressed his support for Ayew, stating, “Ayew is a very good friend of mine, and I’ve been privileged to work with him. He was my captain at U-20 level, even when he was already playing for the Black Stars.” He emphasized that if Ayew feels he is still fit to play and the coaches want him on the team, they will all support his decision.
Badu also made it clear that the coach has the ultimate authority when it comes to team selection. He mentioned that if coach Otto Addo decides to bring Ayew back, former teammates would fully support him. Badu stated, “We’ve hired a coach to make these decisions, so it’s all in his hands now. Andre has a club, he’s played some matches, and will regain his form.”
Reflecting on Ayew’s potential return, Badu mentioned, “If the coach believes his experience as captain is vital for the younger players, we’ll support him wholeheartedly. If the coaches decide otherwise, we’ll support that too. Andre knows his own body better than anyone else; no one can force him to retire from the national team or club football.”
As for Ayew’s legacy, Badu acknowledged his contributions to the Black Stars, saying, “If one day Andre decides it’s time to focus solely on club football, we will thank him and recognize his immense contributions because he’s done so much for the Black Stars.”
In other news, the Black Stars are gearing up for the final two matches of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Niger and Angola. Their qualification hopes hang in the balance, with victories in both matches crucial for their chances of reaching the tournament. Ghana’s path to qualification also relies on Sudan’s results, as they face similar opponents. If Sudan struggles in these matches, Ghana could have a lifeline to advance to the AFCON despite their struggles in the qualifiers.
The upcoming matches will be crucial for the Black Stars, as they aim to secure their spot in the AFCON and continue their pursuit of success on the international stage.
