Techiman City president Charles Kwadwo Ntim, widely known in football circles as Mickey Charles, has made an impassioned appeal for veteran forward Andre Ayew to be included in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, calling it a deserved farewell for one of the Black Stars’ most devoted servants.
Ayew, 35, has been absent from the national team setup since featuring in the international friendlies against Uganda and Nigeria in March 2024. The former captain missed Ghana’s disappointing 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign and did not take part in the team’s impressive World Cup qualification run under Otto Addo.
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Although Addo has remained measured about a potential recall, saying he would consider the former captain “when the time is right,” pressure continues to mount from various quarters for the veteran to be given one last dance on football’s biggest stage.
In an email to GHANAsoccernet.com, Ntim stressed that Ayew’s contributions to Ghanaian football should not go unacknowledged. He urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the national team’s technical staff to resist the recurring pattern of discarding iconic players before their time.
“It will be befitting to send Andre Ayew to the World Cup,” Ntim stated. “Ghana must not make the continuous mistake of retiring players who have served the badge with honour and dignity forcefully. Andre is only 35 and still wields the energy and leadership to guide this team. He doesn’t necessarily have to start games but can play a crucial role when his leadership is needed both on and off the pitch.”
“I strongly recommend to Coach Otto Addo to include our legend in his squad, who is still active, to at least thank him for his immense service to our dear nation,” he added.
The son of Ghanaian legend Abedi Pele, Andre Ayew remains the nation’s most-capped footballer with 120 appearances and 24 goals. Since succeeding Asamoah Gyan as captain in May 2019, his leadership, resilience, and experience have been central to the Black Stars’ evolution.
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Having represented Ghana at three FIFA World Cups; 2010, 2014, and 2022, Ayew stands on the verge of an extraordinary milestone. A place in the 2026 squad would make him one of the few African players to appear in four tournaments, joining the likes of Cameroon greats Rigobert Song, Samuel Eto’o, and Jacques Songo’o.
Ayew’s story, whether it ends in 2026 or beyond, remains deeply intertwined with the soul of Ghanaian football, one defined by passion, perseverance, and an undying love for the Black Stars.
