Former Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has offered advice to Jordan Ayew, the newly-appointed captain of the Black Stars, as the team prepares for the crucial final round of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Ayew, who plays for Leicester City, has been named captain for the upcoming matches against Angola and Niger, stepping in for the injured Thomas Partey.
Reacting to Ayew’s appointment, Agyemang-Badu, a U-20 World Cup winner, urged the forward to establish a personal connection with his teammates both on and off the field. He emphasized the importance of visiting players in their rooms to foster good rapport and guide them through the challenges of representing Ghana at the senior level.
“Jordan Ayew is the senior-most player in the team right now, and I’ll urge him to speak to the guys and visit them in their rooms,” Agyemang-Badu told Ahotor FM. “I did the same with his brother at the U-20 level, like what Asamoah Gyan and Stephen Appiah did for me.”
He added, “Talk to them because they don’t know the terrain, the socialization, and the culture. Tell them this is a demanding football nation, and our supporters expect a lot from us.”
Agyemang-Badu continued, praising Ayew’s experience, having been with the national team for over a decade. “Jordan has been in the national team for more than 12 to 13 years, and he knows the ins and outs, the odds. I know he can calm the players and help them prepare for the games,” he said.
The Black Stars face Angola tonight at the Estádio 11 de Novembro, followed by a crucial home fixture against Niger at Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, November 18.
After Niger’s surprise 4-0 win over Sudan on Thursday, Ghana must win both matches and hope Sudan loses to Angola in order to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON.
