Derek Boateng, a former Black Stars midfielder, has voiced his criticism of coach Otto Addo's decision to exclude captain Andre Ayew from the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
"The omission of Ayew from the 26-man squad has sparked a fervent debate among fans and former players," Boateng noted.
Having represented Ghana himself, Boateng argues that Ayew's recent performances for his club, Le Havre, merit his inclusion in the national team.
"If you talk about players in good shape at their club level right now, he is one of them," Boateng emphasized to Joy Sports.
"A player like Dede Ayew has to be in the team even if you're not starting him. He has to be there," Boateng added.
"His influence in the national team is significant. Some of the players are very close to him and they listen to him a lot. I respect the coach's decision, but for me, he has to be in the squad."
With Ayew holding the record for the most appearances for Ghana with 120 caps since his debut in 2007, he has been a cornerstone for the team over the years.
As Ghana prepares to face the Central African Republic in their next World Cup qualifying match at the Baba Yara Stadium, the debate continues.
Following a 2-1 victory over Mali in Bamako, Ghana currently holds third place in the qualifying series.
