The Black Stars’ camp has been hit with a wave of collective shock as head coach Otto Addo unveiled his squad for the high-profile friendlies against Austria and Germany.
The headline isn’t who is on the list, but rather the glaring absence of the veteran leader, Andre “Dede” Ayew.
The exclusion comes as a bitter pill for many fans to swallow, especially given Ayew’s recent resurgence.
At the club level, the 36-year-old has been nothing short of “superb.”
Ayew has been finding the back of the net with the frequency of a man ten years his junior.
He has been the heartbeat of his current side, often carrying the offensive load during high-pressure moments.
Statistics show his distance covered and successful duels remain among the highest in his league.
Despite this “Indian Summer” of performance, Coach Addo seems intent on a different path.
Addo remained characteristically composed, indicating that the door isn’t closed on anyone.
However, the selection of several young, pacey attackers suggests a tactical pivot.
He seems to be looking at specific profiles for the Germany and Austria games to enable him to see how the team functions under a different transitional speed.
While Addo foresees “tactical flexibility,” critics argue that leaving out the country’s most capped player and a man in peak physical condition is a gamble that risks the team’s locker room chemistry.
Ayew has historically been the “ultimate professional” in the face of adversity.
While he hasn’t released an official statement, sources close to the player suggest he remains focused on his club duties, letting his football do the talking.
By 1960news.com
