Black Stars captain Andre Ayew appeared on the show “Talents of Africa” on Canal+ to talk about the challenges the Black Stars are facing in recent years.
Ayew, 34 years old, moves around with huge expectations and the legacy of Ghana’s football on his shoulders.
In spite of the recent poor performance of the team, Ayew ooze confidence in the potential of the younger players which can take Ghana back to its old glory days.
Going back to Ghana’s past successes, Ayew recalls the golden era of Ghana football, where stars like Essien and Muntari bosses the field.
“We dominated for several years. I was part of this team with a generation (Essien, Muntari). Then we had the generation with Wakaso, Gyan, and John Mensah. Now there is a new generation coming,” Ayew said.
However, he acknowledges the transitional phase the team is currently undergoing, with a new crop of players stepping into the limelight.
These players, Ayew says, lacks experience of their predecessors but face intensified pressure to deliver results for mother Ghana’s which are yet to see trophy since 1982 when the Black Stars last won.
“There is a lot of pressure. Despite this generation that dominated, we still couldn’t win. So, it creates more pressure and more demands, and the country expects even more all the time. Today, players do not have the experience that these players I just mentioned have or had.
Ayew also believes the current generation of players is gradually taken in to the demands of international football and the weight of representing their nation.
“The players start by getting used to it, by understanding what wearing this jersey means, this jersey means a lot to millions of people.
“That the jersey is very heavy to wear and you have to have broad shoulders. I know we will bounce back. We are working. We are going through a bad period. But, we will get through this, and I am sure of it.” Ayew concluded.
As Ghana continues its hunt for Continental trophy, Ayew’s words serve as a hope and resilience even with the challenges facing the Black Stars.