Agyemang-Badu warns against forcing Andre Ayew into retirement

Former Black Stars midfielder Agyemang-Badu has warned Ghanaians against pressurizing Black Stars captain Andre Ayew into retiring from the national team.

Agyemang-Bradu’s comments comes after the Black Stars’ recent struggles in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, with the team failing to pick up a win and edging closer to missing out on the continental showpiece.

Since the 2023 AFCON in January Andre Ayew is yet to feature for the Black Stars, after infamously giving away a penalty-kick to Mozambique, which kick-started the Mamba’s fightback to pick up a 2-2 draw.

Andre’s performance did not sit well with a number of Ghanaians as they called for his exclusion from the team.

Since Otto Addo’s reappointment as Black Stars coach in March, and despite the team having issues with leadership and captaincy -with Andre’s brother Jordan the latest to be handed the armband – Andre Ayew is yet to have a look-in by the manager.

An issue which his former U-20 teammate, Agyemang-Badu, hopes it does not lead to Dede’s eventual retirement from the national team.

“Andre is one of my very good friends and I have been privileged to have worked with him. He was my captain (U-20 level) although he had been playing for the Black Stars. Andre knows his body more than me and nobody can force him to retire from the national team or club side,” he told Flashscore.

“If he wakes up tomorrow and says Ghana, it is time to focus on club football only, we will say thank you and appreciate his contributions because he has done a lot for the Black Stars. If the coach thinks his experience is still needed as captain to help the guys grow, we will support him 120 percent. If the coach thinks otherwise, we will support him as well,” he added.

Andre Ayew returned to Le Havre last month after being left without a club following his contract expiration at the end of last season.

The midfielder has played three matches since his return and is gradually gaining match fitness after spending ample time at home.

Despite throwing his weight behind Andre, Agyemang-Badu believes the final decision by Otto Addo, on Dede’s Black Stars involvement, supersedes all.

“However, we have brought a coach to do a job for us, so everything lies in the hands of the coach now. Ayew now has a club, he has played some games and will get him form back.”

A last roll of the dice will see the Black Stars play Angola on November 15 before facing Niger four days later in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.