Former Ghana Premier League coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu has suggested that Andre Ayew should not be included in the Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Osei-Fosu’s remarks came after Minister of Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams expressed that he would not be surprised to see Ayew in the squad for the tournament in June.
The Sudan national team assistant coach, however, believes it may be time for the veteran forward to step aside and make way for the next generation of Ghanaian talent.
“He might be a very, very good player,” he said. “But you ask yourself in this current setup, is he needed?”- he quizzed in an interview with Luv FM.
“Is he needed? For me, no. Dede is my man, but for me, you leave when the applause is high.
“Dede himself should let it go and then focus on his club football,” he added.
Ayew, who joined NAC Breda as a free agent in January, scored in Sunday’s 3-3 Eredivisie draw against Feyenoord.
At 34, he remains one of Ghana’s most decorated footballers, having represented the Black Stars in four World Cups, though he has not officially retired from international football.
Osei-Fosu emphasised that decisions about the national team should prioritise the squad’s current needs rather than a player’s past achievements.
He cited Italian legend Francesco Totti as an example of a player who stepped back from international duty to focus on his club career.
“That’s why I like these white people. At one point, Totti was called up to the national team, but he said, ‘No, I want to focus on club football,” he added.
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo is expected to announce the team’s final World Cup squad on June 1.
Source: Ghana Soccer Net
