Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has reiterated his responsibility to Ghana’s National Men’s Football Team in response to questions about Andre Dede Ayew’s absence from the squad.

In his first official matches since being appointed head coach, Addo left Dede Ayew out of his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR).

In his post-game press conference after the CAR match, Addo emphasized that the decision to drop Dede Ayew was his own. He made this statement in the presence of Dede Ayew’s brother, Jordan Ayew.

“Let me talk for Jordan, it’s his brother. Surely, he wants him to be next to him but it’s my decision. Surely, as a brother, he would like him to be next to him, but I have a responsibility to the national team, to Ghana, and I have to decide what is best for the team,” Addo explained.

The group leader at the end of the 10-game qualification phase qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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