Captain of the Black Stars of Ghana, Andre Ayew has revealed that the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon will not be his last after Ghana’s exit from the tournament.
The Al Sadd forward was sent off for dangerous play as the Black Stars crashed out of the 2021 AFCON, suffering an embarrassing 3-2 defeat to Comoros Islands in Garoua on Tuesday night.
Speaking to the media after the game, Ayew, 32, stated that Ghana’s failure to make it to the knockout phase of the competition for the first time since 2006 will not be the basis for his retirement from the team anytime soon.
When asked if the 33rd edition of the competition would be his last owing to Ghana’s failed expedition, Ayew said: “No, it is definitely not.”
Andre Ayew has featured in every AFCON since his debut in 2008, except 2013, and has two medals to his name – a silver medal in 2015 and bronze in 2008.
He has since featured in the competition on six occasions to join compatriot Asamoah Gyan, Geremi Njitap (Cameroon), Boubacar Barry (Cote d’Ivoire), Siaka Tiene (Cote d’Ivoire), Kolo Toure (Cote d’Ivoire), Essam El Hadary (Egypt), Hossam Hassan (Egypt), and Seidou Keita (Mali) as players with the second-most tournament appearances.
If Ayew’s statement is anything to go by, he could join Rigobert Song (Cameroon) and Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan in that hallowed rank should he feature at the 2023 edition of the championship to be hosted in Cote d’Ivoire.