Former Ghana Football Association vice president George Afriyie has thrown his support behind Andre Ayew, insisting the veteran forward still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Ayew, 36, recently joined NAC Breda for the remainder of the 2025/26 season after leaving Le Havre and spending several months without a club. The former Black Stars captain last featured for Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Despite speculation about retirement, Ayew has made it clear he is not ready to hang up his boots.
“I never thought about it because my body is good. I feel good,” Ayew told ESPN.
“I’ve played a lot, a lot of years, and I’ve been fit for several years and been able to play games upon games upon games.
I prepare myself every time to have a better tomorrow on the field, off the field.
When the moment comes, your body will tell you. That’s how I see it, and for now, my body is not responding negatively at all. So I need to continue working. The matches will get me fitter.”
Reacting to the forward’s remarks on Asempa FM, Afriyie was emphatic:
“Andre Ayew is still playing, and for me, nobody can force him to retire.”
Since arriving in the Netherlands, Ayew has made six league appearances, starting once as he gradually works his way to full match sharpness. He is expected to be involved again when NAC Breda host FC Volendam at the Rat Verlegh Stadium on Saturday.
For now, Ayew’s message is clear — retirement will come on his terms, not because of outside pressure.