Former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah, remains confident that Andre Ayew still has a lot to offer the national team, despite his omission from the squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.
The decision to leave out Ayew has sparked conversations about his age of 34 and his future with the team. However, Appiah believes that age should not be the only factor to consider when selecting players for the national team.
Drawing from his own experiences, Appiah pointed out that the likes of Max Gradel, at 37 years old, played a vital role for the Ivory Coast team during the AFCON. He emphasized that if a player is still performing at the top level, their age should not be a barrier.
Appiah praised Ayew for his recent performances with Le Havre in the French Ligue 1, where he scored five league goals in 19 appearances. He highlighted Ayew’s evolution as a player since his early days, noting that his recent exploits speak for themselves.
While acknowledging that Ayew’s role on the field may have changed over the years, Appiah stressed the importance of his influence both on and off the pitch. He believes that Ayew can still inspire his teammates and contribute to the team, regardless of his playing time.
Ghana is set to face Mali in Bamako on June 6, followed by a home game against the Central African Republic in Kumasi for Matchday three and four of the qualifiers. Despite Ayew’s absence from the squad, Appiah remains hopeful that the experienced forward will continue to play a significant role in the Black Stars’ future.
