Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has once again addressed Andre Ayew’s exclusion from the national squad, emphasizing that the door remains open for the seasoned forward, despite his ongoing absence. Ayew, who currently plays for Le Havre in France, was last called up for Ghana’s international friendlies against Uganda and Nigeria in March 2024. Since then, Addo has opted for a different mix of talent, sidelining the 34-year-old veteran from pivotal qualifiers.

In his latest media appearance, Addo stressed that Ayew’s return to the squad remains possible, based on performance. “The doors are never closed,” he said, adding that he focuses on current form. He also noted that while he doesn’t usually disclose details of private discussions, he had personally traveled to France in June to explain Ayew’s exclusion from the World Cup qualifiers to him directly. Although Ayew didn’t agree with the decision, Addo maintained his respect for the player’s contributions to Ghanaian football.

The Black Stars face a crucial challenge in their remaining AFCON qualifiers, where they must secure wins over Angola on November 15 and Niger on November 18 to keep their qualification hopes alive. Sitting third in Group F with two points from four games, Ghana trails both Sudan and Angola. While victories are essential, Ghana also needs Sudan to stumble in their final fixtures for a chance to progress.