It’s barely 72 hours to the last qualifiers game of the 2023 Total Energies African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. It’s the Black Stars of Ghana up against the Les Fauves of Central Africa Republic at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
Both teams hoping to grab a win to enhance the chance to book their spot in next year’s AFCON, with the home side marked as the favorite.
However, the talk of town has been the inclusion of the skipper of the side. Andrew Dede Ayew is currently unattached to any club. Many believe that he does not have any business with the team as he is currently not playing actively, however, the head coach of the team, Chris Hughton thinks otherwise and he has revealed his reason behind that.
In an interview with Asaase Radio, Hughton defended his choice, stating;
“Growing perception is not something that means too much to my point of view as the head coach. It’s about the squad that I want and the reason for each player to be in the squad. What is the perception outside? I don’t know. This is not my concern.” He emphasized his focus on selecting a squad that combines young, exciting players with experienced ones.
Hughton acknowledged the public debate regarding Ayew’s inclusion, noting,
“There will always be, in the general public, a lot of debate about who should be in the squad and who shouldn’t. We are knowledgeable about the amount of games that he has played and we also know what he means to the squad. He is our captain; I know what he gives the squad.”
Chris is yet to win the confidence and total trust of Ghanaians as he has won just a game out of his three games in charge of the Black Stars.
The match comes off on Thursday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
Source: Ghana/DenkyiramanRadio/919 FM
