Ghana's Black Stars head coach, Otto Addo, has once again left team captain Andre Ayew out of the squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
This marks the second consecutive time that Ayew, Ghana's most-capped player with 120 appearances and 24 goals, has been excluded from the national team—a decision that is sure to ignite discussion among fans and football analysts alike.
Ayew, who is currently without a club, was also omitted from the squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic, despite having been active and performing well at the time. Coach Addo previously reassured the public that Ayew’s absence did not signal the end of his international career, suggesting that the door remained open for his return.
However, Ayew's continued exclusion raises questions about his future with the Black Stars. While the 33-year-old forward is still searching for a new club, it remains uncertain whether securing regular playing time would guarantee his return to the national team.
Coach Addo has made it clear that his current focus is on developing younger talent, although he has not entirely ruled out the possibility of Ayew’s return. As the Black Stars prepare to kick off their AFCON qualifying campaign, Addo remains confident that his squad, despite Ayew's absence, can secure two vital victories.
Ghana will begin their AFCON qualifiers against Angola on September 5, followed by an away match against Niger in Morocco. The team is aiming for a strong start to their campaign, even as the debate over Ayew's international future continues.
