Stephen Appiah has lauded the leadership qualities of current Black Stars captain Andre Ayew.
The Swansea City, vice-captain, led the Black Satellites (U-20) to win the 2009 U-20 FIFA World Cup in Egypt.
Ayew, son of three-time African Footballer of the Year Abedi Pele put up splendid performances coupled with guiding the Black Satellites to lift the U-20 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first African nation to do so.
Ever since, his leadership qualities have been praised by many and Stephen Appiah believes the current Black Stars captain is a good leader.
“Andre is a leader. The way he talks and the way he acts. Andre always wanted to win and will give everything on the pitch.”
“He has leadership skills and I see a good leader,” the former Hearts of Oak midfielder told Joy Sports.
Ayew, former Olympique Marseille attacker was named the substantive captain of the Black Stars ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, replacing veteran striker Asamoah Gyan.
Despite Gyan being replaced as captain by Ayew, he lauded the leadership qualities of the latter.
“Dede Ayew has leadership qualities, he was good in camp.”
Andre Ayew has led captain the Black Stars to win numerous many with the latest being Ghana 1-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe in the AFCON 2021 qualifies.
Also, Swansea manager Steve Cooper praised the influence of Andre Ayew on and off the pitch after confirming the Ghanaian as the club’s new vice-captain in November 2019.
Ayew has netted 15 goals in 88 appearances since making his debut against Senegal in 2007. Ayew has played in two FIFA World Cups (2010 and 2014), as well as six Africa Cup of Nations (2008, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2019), helping them finish runner-up in 2010 and 2015, and was top goalscorer at the latter tournament.
Meanwhile, Stephen Appiah has revealed that he is open to the idea of coaching Black Stars in the future. He said he would like to return to former club Accra Hearts of Oak to some managerial experience to prepare him for the senior national team job.
“It’s always good to start from somewhere,”Appiah told added.
“I am not rushing to coach the senior national team, I have to get the experience [first].
“So to get the experience from somewhere, why not join Accra Hearts of Oak, I will learn under the Hearts of Oak coach.
“And If I have the chance to handle the [Ghana] U17’s, that’s where I would [like to] start from.”