In a surprising turn of events, Otto Addo, Head Coach of Ghana’s Black Stars, made the difficult announcement of excluding team captain Andre Ayew from the 27-man squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR).
During a press conference in Accra, Coach Addo’s decision raised eyebrows among the sporting media and Ghanaian football enthusiasts, particularly given Ayew’s stellar form, with five goals for Le Havre in the French Ligue 1.
Coach Addo revealed that he personally traveled to France to discuss the exclusion with Ayew, acknowledging the player’s outstanding contribution to the team over the years. “It was a difficult decision to make because I like him as a person and player. I have big respect for him as a legend,” Addo shared.
While Ayew didn’t fully agree with the decision, Coach Addo emphasized that it was made in the best interest of the team. In Ayew’s absence, Thomas Partey has been appointed as the captain for the crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Under his two-and-a-half-year contract with the Ghana Football Association, Coach Addo will commence preparations with the 27-man squad at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Accra. The first qualifier will pit the Black Stars against Mali at Stade 26 Mars in Bamako, followed by a match against the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
Despite the challenging decision, Coach Addo remains focused on steering the team towards success in the upcoming qualifiers, hoping that the exclusion of Ayew will serve as a catalyst for the team’s cohesion and performance on the pitch.
