Former Black Stars assistant coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu has publicly questioned the rationale behind a potential return for veteran forward Andre Ayew to the national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Osei-Fosu, currently serving as an assistant coach for the Sudan national team, argued that Ghana should focus on transitioning to a new generation of players rather than relying on the 36-year-old. The debate regarding Ayew’s international future was reignited after Sports Minister Kofi Adams recently stated he would not be surprised to see the veteran named to the squad for the upcoming tournament in June.
Addressing the issue during an interview with Luv FM, Osei-Fosu maintained that national team selection must be based on the current needs of the squad rather than past accomplishments.
“He might be a very, very good player,” he said. “But you ask yourself in this current setup, is he needed?”
“Is he needed? For me, No. Dede is my man, but for me you leave when the applause is high,” he added. “Dede himself should let it go and then focus on his club football.”
Ayew, who has participated in four World Cups for Ghana and has yet to formally announce his international retirement, recently signed with Dutch side NAC Breda. However, he has made only three appearances since his January arrival, following a period of nearly a year as a free agent.
Osei-Fosu emphasized that stepping away at the right time is essential for preserving a player’s legacy. Referencing international precedent, he pointed to Italian legend Francesco Totti as an example of a player who successfully managed his exit from the national stage.
“That’s why I like these white people,” Osei-Fosu stated. “At a point, Totti was him [Andre] to the national team [of Italy]but he said, ‘No, I want to focus on club football.’”