Otto Addo has clarified the reasons behind Andre Ayew’s exclusion from the Black Stars squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.
The former Olympique Marseille and Swansea City forward has been left out of Ghana’s squad for the second time, following his earlier omission from the team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic in June.
Explaining his decision, Addo said “We have to look a little further. We have to into the next AFCON but also if God permits and we might qualify for that too we look one to three years ahead. We have to build a squad for that.
“We are building up and I think we did quite well the last time even though it was tough, we know the next games are going to be even tougher because everybody expects us to win.
“It’s going to be tough and we might also get some knockbacks but this is football and we are looking for long-term development that is why we decided, also, the last time not to invite Andre,” he added.
Ghana is set to play against Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium on September 5, followed by a match against Niger in Berkane on September 10.
Meanwhile, Ayew is currently a free agent after his contract with French Ligue 1 side Le Havre expired at the end of the 2023/24 season.
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