2026 World Cup: Andre Ayew must justify he deserves to be selected - Augustine Ahinful

Selection for Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad should be based strictly on current performance, not reputation, according to former Black Stars forward Augustine Ahinful, who believes Andre Ayew must first prove his readiness before earning a recall.

The debate over the veteran attacker’s place in the national team has intensified in recent weeks, with Ghana preparing for a highly competitive tournament.

Ayew, who now plays for NAC Breda in the Dutch top-flight, remains a prominent figure in discussions around squad composition, but questions persist over his recent form and match sharpness.

Speaking to GhanaWeb, Ahinful stressed the need for patience as the forward rebuilds momentum at club level following a disrupted period.

However, Ahinful did not entirely close the door on the 36-year-old, suggesting that his leadership and professionalism could still be valuable assets if he regains form.

“Dede was not active from the beginning of the season. He got a club in December 2025, in January 2026, he started playing, so let’s allow him to play his game.

"His club is still battling relegation, so let’s allow him to come back to the shape that we want him to be.

“We can’t say that because he’s played for the team before, we should give him a final goodbye—no. We are going into a competition where we need players; every player selected is needed.

“If the coach feels that he should be part of his team, why not? Maybe his professionalism and his leadership qualities will come to bear."

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