Ghana’s decision to omit André Dede Ayew from the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic has been met with approval from some Ghanaians.
Head coach Otto Addo, who named the squad without the Le Havre player, explained that he had a thorough discussion with Ayew regarding his exclusion.

Addo emphasized that he prefers to address players directly and maintain confidentiality regarding their discussions.
While Ayew may not have agreed with the decision, Addo expressed his continued respect for the veteran player.
Following the press conference, some Ghanaians shared their thoughts with (link unavailable), praising the decision to phase out older players like Ayew, who is 34 years old and has been with the team since 2008.
One individual noted that Ayew’s age and declining performance make it an opportune time for a transition, especially considering the 2026 World Cup is two years away.
Another person pointed out that Ayew has had a remarkable 16-year career, earning 120 caps and scoring 24 goals for Ghana, but it’s time for new talent to emerge.