Black Stars could have used Andre Ayew’s World Cup experience – George Afriyie

Former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), George Afriyie, has suggested that former Black Stars captain Andre Ayew could have been a part of the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, owing to his valuable World Cup experience. This comes in the wake of Ayew's recent comments on the treatment of senior players in Ghana nearing the end of their international careers.

Ayew, who is playing for Dutch club NAC Breda, was left out of the final 23-man squad for the North American-hosted tournament. Afriyie argued on the radio show Sporty FM that Andre Ayew's participation could have provided significant benefits to the Ghana team during the World Cup campaign. He stated that the inclusion of experienced players like Ayew could offer continuous learning and support, both on and off the field.

Afriyie pointed out that while the maximum number of participants would be 20, the presence of a player of Ayew's caliber could still be advantageous. He went on to suggest that the former captain could have been integrated into the team's technical setup or provided support to the younger members of the squad. Afriyie emphasized that the decision to select the final 23-man squad ultimately lies with the head coach, though he noted that the GFA could have input, particularly given the tight timeline the coach had to work with.

He reiterated that the coach's decision was influenced by various factors and input from the GFA. Afriyie made it clear that while he did not believe the coach himself made the call, he did not oppose the process. Current Black Stars striker Andre Ayew, who last played for the national team during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, is currently engaged in discussions with various clubs about a potential return to active football.