Black Stars of Ghana head coach Chris Hughton has mentioned the two main reasons why he invited Andre Ayew for Thursday’s important Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Central African Republic.
The Ghana captain is without a club after leaving Premier League side Nottingham Forest at the end of the 2022/23 season but that did not stop the former Brighton and Holve Albion manager from handing Ayew a call-up.
According to Hughton , Ayew’s big influence and respect earned him the selection.
“What I always have to do. I have to look at the balance of the team. I have to look at the injuries before the squad was announced and I have to get the right balance of experience. Is this the right game to bring in players that are not proven and have not been in the squad before? Yes, there can be some part of that and also there has to be a part of having some stability in the squad. “
“So there is nobody that has the right to be in the squad because you have to earn it and that can come in different ways.”
“For a player like Andre, who is our captain, who is a big influence and respectful player around the squad so for what he can add to the squad and Edmund Addo, for the games that he has played and also for the option that we have in central midfield. We don’t have as many options in offensive midfields as I other positions.”