AFCON 2021: Ghana seen as underdogs is normal, but….Ghana captain Andre Ayew speaks positives

Ghana will kick start the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a group C opener against Morocco, and skipper Andre Ayew admits the Black Stars carry on their head the “underdogs” tag, something he draws positives from.

The Al Sadd midfielder does not agree with the notion that Ghana has not been doing well on the continent, judging from the point that the Ghana have qualified for both the World Cup playoffs as well as the AFCON. Ayew stressed that the underdogs tag on the Ghana team gives the players motivation to prove hunger to win as they will die on the pitch for the nation.

“Well, as coach [Milovan] said, I want to focus on what is ahead but, when you say Ghana have not been too well I don’t get where you are really coming from because we have qualified to the [World Cup] playoff, we have qualified for the AFCON so that is the bit I don’t know but, yes, it’s a tough competition”, Ayew told the press in the pre-match conference.

He assured that the players will sweat to the end and die for Ghana even with the “underdogs” tag.

“We know that people are seeing us as underdogs but it’s part of football. Teams have proved that they have progressed, teams have proved that they can win a lot of games in a roll so we didn’t win a lot of games in a roll so it’s normal that they want to see us as underdogs, but we take it with a lot of determination, hunger to prove that Ghana will never die. So whatever that happens we will die to the end, we will die on the pitch and make sure that this jersey, anybody wears it will sweat to his last; any energy he has to the end”, Ayew assured.

Ayew could not end the presser without acknowledging the depth of talent in the Ghana squad, despite having lots of the players going to play in the AFCON for the first time.

“These guys have had the opportunity to prove themselves in front of the world, not just Africa. My teammates are guys with great talents, some are very young but the talent is top. So we are just there to help and first of all we are there to do our job”, he praised.