Some die-hard fans of the senior national team, the Black Stars, at Keta in the Volta Region have appealed to Coach Otto Addo and his technical men to include former captain Andre Morgan Dede Ayew in the national team’s World Cup squad.
They expressed their strong backing for Ayew’s return to the team, with others saying his invaluable experience, leadership, and versatility would be key assets to shape team mates to excel in the continental mundial.
Papa Charles Coffie, a die-hard Black Stars fan at Keta, said Ayew’s presence in the team would provide much-needed stability, especially during high-pressure matches, while the opportunity would provide him with needed respect for leading the team after Asamoah Gyan left the captaincy role years ago.
“Dede Ayew’s understanding of high profile games and ability to perform in critical situations could enable the team balance the combination of tactical creativity with on-field execution,” Mr Coffie said.
He explained that Ayew’s leadership qualities and ability to guide younger teammates were also being touted as essential components of the team’s success and expressed believe that his experience would be a valuable asset in helping the team to navigate the challenges of international competitions.
He emphasised that the debate surrounding Ayew’s inclusion showed the challenges faced by the national team management in selecting the right mix of players with decision likely to have a significant impact on the team’s performance in the 2026 World Cup that would be hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.
“Dede Ayew has played 120 games for the Black Stars and scored 24 goals, making him the most-capped Black Stars player in history, we all pray that he can get a club before January after he left Le Havre in France in October 2024 after his one-year contract expired in the summer.”
Mr Richmond Tey, another fan, said that Dede Ayew was active footballer and made 36 appearances in previous Africa Cup of Nations, matching Cameroon legend Rigobert Song’s record as the player with the most appearances in the tournament’s history.
He said some of his notable performances included participating in eight Africa Cup of Nations tournaments such as 2008, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023 as well as 2010, 2014, 2022 FiFA World Cups respectively.
He said the recommendation had sparked a lively debate among fans and football analysts about the balance between youth and experience in the national team with some arguing that younger players should be prioritised, while others felt that veterans like Ayew would bring composure and leadership necessary for the team’s success.
Ghana has been housed in Group L of the 2026 world cup together with England, Croatia and Panama and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) had earlier announced a friendly match against Bafana Bafana of South Africa as preparatory match ahead of the world cup which would commence on June 11 and end on July 19.
As Black Stars’ prepares for upcoming fixtures, attention would be on whether the national team management would consider the endorsement and integrate Ayew into the team to strengthen the squad and ensure a mix of youthful energy and proven talent as the team aimed for competitive success.
The Black Stars’ recent performances have been a topic of discussion among fans, with some calling for a more experienced squad with Ayew’s inclusion was being considered to boost the team to achieve its goals.
The national team coach has been under pressure to deliver results, and Ayew’s inclusion could be a key factor to the success of the team while fans were eagerly waiting for the decision on whether to include Ayew in the squad.
Fans were hoping that Ayew’s experience, previous performances and leadership skills would be part of the team’s success story in the world cup.
Source: GNA
The post Black Stars fans appeal for inclusion of Dede Ayew in world cup squad appeared first on Ghana Business News.
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