'I had a good conversation' - Addo on snubbing A. Ayew

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Friday Jun 14, 2024. 15:07

Ghana coach Otto Addo has opened up about snubbing captain Andre Ayew ahead of the recent matches against Mali and the Central African Republic.

The national team captain was surprisingly omitted from the Black Stars squad by Addo despite his decent form at club level – scoring twice in his last four French Ligue matches for Le Havre in the recent season.

Addo explained that he is not ruling out the idea of inviting him for future Black Stars matches and also stated that the decision to leave him out of the team was the best for Ghana.

“I think it’s a normal question. He’s a player. I said it before. I mean, he’s a legend, living legend,” Addo said on Ghana Soccer Net.

“He has done so much for the nation. He sacrificed so much for the nation. Good guy, with good character. I mean, he represents Ghana these days like no one has.

“But, surely, as a coach, I have to think and I have to think about the Ghana national team, what’s best for the Ghana national team,” the former Ghana international added.

“And I had a good conversation with him, and I took my decision. And, I said it before, it won’t be fair to talk about something about the content in public. And this is a private conversation, and I want to keep it as us.

“But like I said, I take my decision, and, in the end, always for the best of the nation and also for the team.”

Ghana will take part in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September 2024.