Jordan Ayew Calls for Patience: ‘We Must Adapt to Otto Addo’s Vision

Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, has dropped out of the top 70 in the FIFA World Rankings, following their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Ghana Falls Outside FIFA’s Top 70 Amid AFCON Qualification Failure

This marks the first time in 21 years that Ghana will miss the continental tournament, after suffering back-to-back group stage eliminations in the last two editions.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Joy Sports, Black Stars captain André Ayew acknowledged the team’s struggles and attributed them to a difficult transition period.

“We don’t have the team we had between 2006 and 2019. In 2010, the transition was seamless, as the U-20s joined a squad that already had a strong core.”

He further explained that the current changes within the team have been more radical, with 10 to 12 new players being introduced in different call-ups. However, he remains optimistic about the long-term vision of the team.

“At the end of the day, it’s football, and I feel the coach and the GFA have a long-term plan, so we need to respect it and adapt,” he added.

The Black Stars will begin their journey to redemption when they face Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, 2025, before playing Madagascar three days later in Morocco.

With Ayew leading the squad, fans are hopeful that the team can rebuild and regain its former glory ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.