Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has come out in defense of his decision to recall 35-year-old forward Jordan Ayew to the Black Stars squad. Ayew's inclusion has sparked debate among fans, with some calling for the veteran to retire from international duty. Queiroz, however, believes Ayew's experience is still valuable to the team. The coach made the statement ahead of Ghana's AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Cote d'Ivoire and The Gambia.
Queiroz's decision to recall Ayew comes after a difficult period for the player. Ayew had a disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with Ghana, failing to register a single shot on target. He also struggled to find a new club after his contract with Leicester City expired, eventually joining Sheffield United on a free transfer. Despite this, Queiroz sees Ayew as a player "starting to renew his career" and values his experience in the squad.
The recall has been met with criticism from some sections of the Black Stars fanbase, who believe that younger players should be given more opportunities. However, Queiroz is adamant that Ayew's experience is essential to the team's rebuilding process. The coach has framed Ayew's return as part of a broader effort to blend experience with youth in the squad. Ayew has represented the Black Stars for over a decade and remains one of the more experienced figures available to Queiroz.
Ghana's preparations for the qualifiers have been marred by injuries and late replacements. The team has already lost several players to injury, including Adjei, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Thomas-Asante was recalled after suffering an injury scare, while Prince Adu Kwabena was brought into the squad as part of the reshuffling. Queiroz has had to add nine players to the squad to cope with the injury crisis.
The Ghana Football Association has also been making changes to the technical bench. Godwin Attram was appointed as an assistant coach, while John Paintsil took up a coaching role. The federation has also brought Asamoah Gyan into the setup as player-club relations manager. These changes are aimed at strengthening the team's support staff ahead of the qualifiers.
Ghana will face Cote d'Ivoire away in Bouaké on September 24, before hosting The Gambia five days later. The team will be looking to secure a positive result in the qualifiers, which will be a significant step towards AFCON 2027. Queiroz will be hoping that Ayew's experience will prove valuable in these matches.
The coach's decision to recall Ayew has sparked a renewed debate about the player's future in the team. While some fans believe that Ayew should retire, Queiroz sees him as a valuable member of the squad. The upcoming qualifiers will be an opportunity for Ayew to prove his worth and silence his critics.
Key points
- Carlos Queiroz defends recall of 35-year-old Jordan Ayew despite fan calls for retirement.
- Ayew's recall is part of Queiroz's rebuilding process, which aims to blend experience with youth in the squad.
- Ghana will face Cote d'Ivoire and The Gambia in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
