Andre Ayew: I still hurt from that

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday May 19, 2021. 09:00

Ghana captain Andre Ayew has reflected on the Black Stars’ disastrous Africa Cup of Nations campaign in 2019.

The 31-year-old midfielder-cum-striker was named new Black Stars captain ahead of the 2019 AFCON finals – replacing Asamoah Gyan.

Ayew led the Black Stars to the Round of 16 where they lost to Tunisia 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Egypt.

As a result, the West African giants failed to reach the quarter-final of the competition for the first time since 2006.

“I still hurt from that but as captain, the pain is good because it’s pain that doesn’t just go away it’s a pain that reminds us that we owe our people the trophy or at least our all,” Ayew told BBC.

“We have qualified for [the next Afcon tournament in] Cameroon and we have to prepare and be ready because we have a very good core now and with this core and a little guidance and sacrifice-we can finally achieve our aim.”

The left-footed player has led the Black Stars to the 2022 AFCON finals which will be hosted by Cameroon.

Ayew has played an instrumental role in helping his club Swansea City reach this season’s English Championship promotional playoffs and he says his stay in the English second-tier is not in any way an indication of his quality.

“Some people will say maybe my career has dwindled because I’m playing in the championship and let me say there were offers to go and play in the Premier and I could have jumped at the first offer that came in, but no,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s not every offer that comes that you have to take, you first look at your happiness and then consult your family and the team and see what is best before making a decision. “I really don’t think I have lost anything, look at my numbers both here and at the [Ghana] national team, they are getting better and I’m happy for the journey I took.”