Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President George Afriyie has thrown his support behind Andre Ayew, stressing that the experienced forward still has the right to continue playing as long as he feels capable.
Ayew, now 36, recently secured a short-term deal with Dutch club NAC Breda after spending the opening half of the 2025/26 campaign without a club following his exit from Le Havre AC in France.
The former Ghana national football team captain last represented his country during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. Despite ongoing conversations about whether he should hang up his boots, the veteran attacker has made it clear he has no plans to retire anytime soon.
Speaking in an interview with ESPN, Ayew dismissed speculation about stepping away from the game, insisting his physical condition remains strong.
“I never thought about it because my body is good. I feel good,” he said, emphasising his fitness after years of relentless play. “I’ve played a lot, a lot of years, and I’ve been fit for several years and been able to play games upon games upon games.”
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“I prepare myself every time to have a better tomorrow on the field, off the field. When the moment comes, your body will tell you. That’s how I see it, and for now, my body is not responding negatively at all. So I need to continue working. The matches will get me fitter,” he added.
Afriyie echoed similar sentiments while reacting to the striker’s comments during an interview on Asempa FM.
According to him, Ayew should be allowed to make his own decision regarding his playing career rather than being pushed into retirement:
“Andre Ayew is still playing, and for me, nobody can force him to retire.”
Since linking up with NAC Breda, Ayew has featured in six league matches, although he has started only once so far. The Ghanaian forward is likely to be involved again when Breda welcome FC Volendam to the Rat Verlegh Stadium on Saturday as the Dutch side continues its campaign.
