The Black Stars skipper has rejected suggestions that he was dropped to the bench in the game against Zimbabwe because of poor form
Ghana captain Andre Ayew has shed light on why he was benched in the Black Stars’ 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Harare on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old was surprisingly left on the substitute bench together with youngster Abdul Fatawu Issahaku as Milovan made two changes in his team and lanky striker Benjamin Tetteh started and Iddrisu Baba started in their places.
Although, reports suggested that Ayew was dropped because of his average performance Zimbabwe in the first leg, the Al Sadd forward says he was nursing an injury and had to take precautionary measures after a meeting with the coach.
“It was not an easy time and game for me and the other players but we are in a period where I have to be there for the team and every point is important but there are sometimes you have to up a collective decision,” Ayew told the media after the game.
“I think the boss did the right thing [by benching me in the game]. We spoke about the injury I was nursing and I’m just so happy that we have the points.
“I hope that we will continue like this against Ethiopia and the other game and I believe victory will be ours. Ghana will surely qualify for the World Cup,” he added.
Ayew came on as a substitute on the 85th minute for Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Kudus Mohammed to wind up time.
Ghana went top of the Group G table with nine points but South Africa have overtaken them following their victory over Ethiopia in the other game played later at the Soccer City Sports Stadium.
The Black Stars will face Ethiopia in another away game in Addis Ababa on November 13 before they host South Africa in the group decider four days later either at the Accra Sports Stadium, Cape Coast Sports Stadium or Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.