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The head coach of the Black Stars of Ghana, Otto Addo has once again addressed the media regarding his decision to exclude Andre Ayew from the squad ahead of the crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger.

The former Borussia Dortmund talent coach has not called up the Le Havre forward since the international friendlies against Uganda and Nigeria in March 2024.

Despite the ongoing absence of the 34-year-old veteran, Addo emphasized that Ayew still has the opportunity to return to the national team.

“The doors are never closed. I look at the performance,” he responded when pressed on Andre Ayew, after initially saying he won’t talk about his situation again.

Ayew was first dropped from the Black Stars squad for the June 2024 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.

At the time, Addo revealed that he had personally traveled to France to explain to Ayew why he wouldn’t be included in the squad for those two games. However, Ayew did not accept Addo’s justification for the exclusion.

“I had a long chat with Andre and gave him the reason why he is not in the squad,” he said.

“I talk to players directly and I don’t like to put information out about what we spoke about.

“This is the decision we took and it’s not like he necessarily agreed, but I still have big respect for him.”

Upcoming AFCON Qualifiers: Angola and Niger

Ghana is set to face Angola on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda. Just three days later, the Black Stars will host Niger in their final qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, November 18.

Currently sitting third in Group F with two points from four matches, Ghana is five points behind second-placed Sudan and ten points adrift of group leaders Angola.

With qualification still possible but no longer entirely in their hands, the Black Stars must win both remaining games and hope for Sudan to slip up in their final fixtures.

Meanwhile, coach Otto Addo has emphasized that he is not afraid to bench any player ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger.

He made these remarks after being asked why he is not giving local players the opportunity in the Black Stars.

Many Ghana Premier League players receive call-ups but never get the chance to play for the Black Stars.

After naming the squad for the games against Angola and Niger on Thursday, Addo said, “It’s not about local or non-local. It’s about performance.

“If you train well, why should I leave you on the bench? If I think you are better than whoever” Kudus or whoever” then why should I let him play?

“Then, because I want to win. I’m not doing anything just to please somebody. And to be honest, I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid to put whoever on the bench. I’m not afraid. But I’m looking at the performance.”