AFCON axing led to my decision to quit Ghana – Jordan Ayew

Ghana striker Jordan Ayew says the decision to leave him out of Ghana’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations squad is one of the reasons behind his decision to quit the national team.

The France-based slapped in his temporary resignation letter to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Tuesday, citing his axing from the Black Stars AFCON squad as one of his reasons to retire. The Marseille player was excluded from the initial 26-man squad for the tournament in South Africa which was announced by coach Kwesi Appiah in December.

Ayew was dropped from the Black Stars squad for the tournament in South Africa even though he was named the club’s Player of Month for November.

The youngster thinks his performances for his club should have merited him a place in the squad because of his showing especially in the previous month. “The point I have just made is vindicated by the fact that although on every occasion that I have had the opportunity to play for my nation I have played to the best of my ability and served my nation with commitment, it appears that my efforts have not impressed the management team of the senior national team,” Jordan Ayew said in his resignation letter to the GFA.

“The reason is that in the position for which my services are required for the national team, I have been ranked way behind several players as not to merit a place in the team on occasions when it mattered.

“My observation comes against the backdrop of the fact that I was considered not good enough to play for the national team even at a time when my club believed I was doing very well and honoured with player of the month for my club.”

Ayew’s decision to leave the Black Stars comes just three weeks before Ghana takes on Sudan in a 2014 World Cup qualifier in Kumasi.

The attacker has scored twice in his 10 matches for the Black Stars.