Former Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has instructed Jordan Ayew, the Black Stars’ newly anointed captain, ahead of the final round of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
In the absence of Thomas Partey, the Leicester City attacker will captain the team against Angola and Niger.
Reacting to Ayew’s hiring, the U-20 World Cup winner asked him to connect with the players both on and off the pitch.
He suggested Ayew to visit his colleagues’ rooms to build rapport and share advice on the hardships of playing for the senior national team.
“Jordan Ayew is the team’s most senior player right now. I will encourage him to speak with the boys and visit them in their rooms. I did the same with his brother at the U-20 level, just as Asamoah Gyan and Stephen Appiah did,” he told Ahotor FM.
“Talk to them since they don’t understand the landscape, socialization, or culture. Inform them that this is a demanding football nation. Our supporters are quite demanding.
“Jordan has been in the national team for more than 12 to 13 years and he knows the ‘ins and outs” as well as the risks. I am confident that he will be able to calm them down and prepare them well for the games.”
Ghana will face the Palancras Negras later tonight at the Estádio 11 de Novembro, followed by a final home game against Niger at Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, November 18.
Following Niger’s 4-0 win against Sudan on Thursday, the Black Stars must now win both Angola and Niger while hoping Sudan loses to Angola to be able to qualify.
