Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew has called on his fellow countrymen to exercise restraint in their critique of the national team’s performance in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Ayew, who faced significant criticism after Ghana’s opening-game loss to Cape Verde, defended the team and questioned the basis for heightened concerns after just one match.

The Crystal Palace player, under pressure for allegedly suggesting a lack of experience in the squad contributed to the defeat, responded to critics during a press conference ahead of Ghana’s second group game against Egypt. Ayew asked, “Are we disqualified yet?” emphasizing that judgments should be reserved until the team’s fate is determined.