Derek Boateng (L) and Dede Ayew (R)
Former Black Stars midfielder, Derek Boateng, has chimed in on Dede Ayew's exclusion from Ghana's squad for the World Cup qualifiers, stating that Dede's spot in the squad should be non-negotiable.
According to him, Ayew's inclusion in the squad would have been well-deserved because the Black Stars captain finished the season as one of Ghana's most in-form players in Europe.
The former Fulham player believes Dede Ayew's omission is part of the unfair treatment players experience in the national team as they approach the twilight of their careers.
"Sometimes, when your career is coming to an end, the way they treat you is so bad. Sometimes, we depend on him (Dede Ayew) to win games for us. For me, if you talk about players who are in good shape at their club level right now, he is one of them. And he is doing well in the French league, one of Europe's most difficult leagues," he told Joy Sports.
"For me, the treatment players receive at the national team when their careers are coming to an end is really, really painful. A player like Dede Ayew needs to be in the team. Even if you are not starting him, he has to be there," he added.
In Dede Ayew's absence, Ernest Nuamah and Jordan Ayew inspired Ghana to a 2-1 victory over Mali in Bamako in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The team will seek back-to-back wins on Monday, June 10, when they face the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
EE/NOQ
