Former Ghana Premier League coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu has suggested that veteran forward André Ayew may no longer be needed in the current Black Stars squad as the team prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Osei-Fosu made the remarks while reacting to comments from Ghana’s Sports Minister Kofi Adams, who recently indicated that he would not be surprised if Ayew is included in Ghana’s squad for the upcoming tournament.
However, the Ghanaian tactician—who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Sudan national football team—believes the time may have come for the experienced forward to step aside and allow younger players to take their place in the national team.
According to him, although Ayew remains a respected and talented player, the most important question is whether he is still necessary in the team’s current structure.
“He might be a very, very good player, but you ask yourself in this current setup, is he needed?” Osei-Fosu said during an interview on Luv FM.
“Is he needed? For me, no. Dede is my man, but you leave when the applause is high.”
The coach further suggested that Ayew himself should consider stepping away from the national team and focus fully on his club career.
The 34-year-old forward recently joined Dutch side NAC Breda as a free agent in January and has already shown his quality, scoring in their 3–3 Eredivisie draw against Feyenoord over the weekend.
Despite the debate surrounding his future with the national team, Ayew remains one of Ghana’s most accomplished footballers. He has represented the Black Stars in four FIFA World Cups and served as captain for several years.
Osei-Fosu also referenced Italian legend Francesco Totti as an example of a player who chose to step away from international football to focus on his club career.
Meanwhile, Black Stars head coach Otto Addo is expected to announce Ghana’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 1, a decision that will determine whether André Ayew will once again represent Ghana on the global stage.
