The question of whether Andre Ayew should step down from Ghana’s national team has gained momentum following a disappointing performance by the Black Stars at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). At 34, the veteran forward faces increasing pressure to retire from international football. However, one prominent voice, former teammate Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, has come forward to defend Ayew’s right to determine his own future with the Black Stars.
Agyemang-Badu, who enjoyed numerous memorable moments with Ayew, including their historic triumph at the U20 World Cup in 2009, has staunchly opposed calls for Ayew’s exit from the national team.
Speaking in an interview with Flashscore, Agyemang-Badu offered his support for his longtime friend, emphasizing that decisions about Ayew’s career should not be made by public opinion.
“People should allow him to make the decision on his own, and let the coach decide. As long as he can play, and if the coach sees fit to select him, he should be part of the national team,” Agyemang-Badu stated.
His remarks come amid speculation that Ayew’s absence from recent line-ups may indicate a shift away from the veteran’s role within the squad.
Head coach Otto Addo’s recent choices have fueled this speculation. Ayew was notably left out of Ghana’s squad for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Angola and Niger, raising questions about the veteran’s future.
While Addo has yet to formally comment on Ayew’s long-term role, the decision has led many fans and analysts to believe that a transition may be underway.
Nonetheless, Agyemang-Badu insists that Ayew deserves respect for his contributions to Ghanaian football and should be granted the dignity of choosing when to bow out.
“We have a new coach who will do a good job, and it all depends on him to make decisions for the team’s future,” Agyemang-Badu explained.
He argued that Ayew’s experience could still serve the Black Stars well, provided that the coach believes he can contribute to the team’s progress.
Agyemang-Badu’s comments underline the significant legacy Ayew has built in his years with the Black Stars.
With over a hundred caps and a role in several AFCON tournaments, Ayew remains one of Ghana’s most influential players of recent years.
A generational leader, he has seen the national team through periods of both triumph and hardship. Yet, as Ghana eyes a new era with a younger core of players, questions about the need for such a seasoned figure have grown louder.
For Agyemang-Badu, however, Ayew’s fate should not be hastily sealed by outside voices.
He urged fans and critics alike to allow the forward to make his own decision and for the coach to consider Ayew’s contributions without external pressures.
As the Black Stars prepare for the next AFCON qualifiers and continue to integrate fresh talent into the team, the conversation surrounding Ayew’s future remains a divisive topic among fans and former players alike.
Whether or not Ayew will have another chapter with the Black Stars is yet to be determined, but Agyemang-Badu’s backing shows that, in the eyes of those who know him best, Ayew’s impact on Ghanaian football is far from forgotten.
For now, the final call on Ayew’s involvement rests with coach Otto Addo and Ayew himself, a testament to the respect he has earned over a career that has left a lasting mark on Ghanaian football.
🇬🇭 Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu thinks Ghanaians should not pressure Andre Ayew to retire. #3SportsGH pic.twitter.com/u9kq3oI0eo
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) November 9, 2024
