Ghana captain Andre Ayew has acknowledged the work of former coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor for playing a vital role in the four-time AFCON champions 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Al Sadd SC player scored the winner for the Stars when they defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa 1-0 at the Cape Coast stadium in Ghana on Sunday evening.
Despite the sacking of Akonnor after Ghana’s loss to South Africa in the second Group G game in Johannesburg in September, the Ghanaian captain has given credit to the former gaffer.
Ayew marked his 100th appearance for Ghana with a converted spot kick to secure the three-time FIFA World Cup participants a play-offs spot and was quick to acknowledge the ex-Ghana coach for playing his part in the qualifiers.
“I want o thank coach C.K Akonnor because he started this qualification process and without him we would not be here now so he deserves credit too,” he said in the post-match conference.
“He also qualified us to the AFCON so just wanted to thank him too for the work he did with us,” he added.
Andre Ayew has been in a dazzling form for the Black Stars, scoring three goals in six FIFA World Cup qualifying games as the team booked a place in the play-offs.
Ayew has played at two FIFA World Cup competitions in 2010 and 2014 respectively and will be hoping to send Ghana to its fourth World Cup in March 2022.