Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton has stated that one of the decisions coaches make in their line of work is to choose who to play and who not to in response to the choice to bench Andre Ayew against Angola.
Many were startled by the absence of Ayew from Ghana’s 1-0 victory over Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
Hughton stated that such decisions are part of your job as a gaffer while many people were puzzled as to why the 33-year-old was left out.
“This [leaving players on the bench] is the choice you have as a head coach. You know the quality that Andre has you also know the quality that I like to think the squad have,” he told the media after the game.
“So these are very difficult decisions for me; certainly nothing to read into that. He is, has been and is still a very good player it was just my choice.”
Hughton was confirmed as Black Stars head coach in February this year after serving as technical advisor of the team.