Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has made a compelling case for the continued inclusion of Black Stars captain Andre Ayew in the team.
Ayew has been without a club since May, leading to his exclusion from Ghana’s squad for the October international friendlies against the USA and Mexico. There are even suggestions that he may miss the early stages of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
However, Agyemang-Badu, a former Ghanaian midfielder, firmly believes that Ayew remains an indispensable figure for the Black Stars.
He highlights that even if Ayew isn’t playing regularly, his off-field contributions are invaluable to the national team.
“We will still need Dede Ayew in the Black Stars; he’s still the leader of the team. Not necessarily on the pitch but for other unforeseen circumstances,” Agyemang-Badu argued on Radio 360 Power Sports.
Agyemang-Badu also draws from his own experience when he was called up to the Black Stars during a period of injury. He commends former coach Avram Grant for recognizing the value of his experience and including him in the team.
At nearly 34 years old, Ayew remains the most seasoned player in the Black Stars, with an impressive 115 appearances and 24 goals since his debut in 2007.
The former Marseille star remains optimistic about earning a place in the squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Madagascar and Comoros. He is also confident about being named in the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Ivory Coast.
Ghana will face formidable opponents in Afcon, including Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique, and Ayew’s experience and leadership are anticipated to be vital as the Black Stars aim to make a strong showing in the tournament.
