Former Ghana midfielder Kenneth Sarpong has expressed his dissatisfaction with Andre Ayew’s recent exclusion from the Black Stars, insisting that a player as patriotic as Ayew should not be treated poorly.
Ayew, who recently signed with French club Le Havre, has been left out of the national team since June, missing both the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The former West Ham United star was notably absent from Ghana’s recent double-header against Sudan, where the Black Stars secured only one point. A 0-0 draw at the Accra Sports Stadium was followed by a 2-0 defeat at the Benina Martyrs Stadium in Libya, putting Ghana’s qualification for AFCON 2025 at serious risk.
Sarpong, speaking to Kessben FM, voiced his concern over how the former Swansea City captain is being treated by the Black Stars.
“A patriotic player like Andre Ayew does not deserve bad treatment,” Sarpong stated. “Having Andre Ayew on the bench wouldn’t cause any problems at the Black Stars camp. His presence alone would serve as extra motivation. He knows how to lift the team when things get tough, and it would be better to have him back.”
Ayew, a former captain of the national team, is hopeful of returning to the squad, especially after resuming active play at Le Havre.
The Black Stars are set to return to action in November for their final AFCON 2025 qualifiers, where they will face Niger and Angola, and Ayew’s potential return could provide much-needed experience for the team.
