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I am not desperate to be Black Stars captain - Ayew

Ayew Bafana 14.01.12

Thu, 6 Sep 2012 Source: Radio XYZ

Olympic Marseille midfielder Andre Dede Ayew has said he is not obsessed about becoming the captain of Ghana as being speculated or recommended by some football pundits.

The 22-year-old has in the last few weeks been hit with some flak by some people who claim he will not be accepted by his colleagues if named the next captain.


But Ayew said his interest is to improve on his personal performance and the performance of the team as well as the unity in camp.


People make reference to the row in the Black Stars camp in the early 90’s when Akwesi Appiah (now Black Stars coach) lost the armband to Abedi Pele, father of Dede Ayew. This latest controversy started when Dede’s senior bother, Rahim Ayew suggested that he (Dede) can win trophies for the Black Stars as the leader of the team.


He led Ghana’s Under-20 team, the Black Satellites, to win the 2009 Africa Youth Championship and the Fifa U20 World Cup and he was praised heavily for his leadership qualities.


The Marseille No. 10, however, stated that if he is destined to lead the Black Stars, nobody can stop it.

“I am here to play for Ghana, to be captain or not is not the issue because in life everything comes with God’s time and when it is for you, no one can block it,” Ayew said.


“What is important is for us to stay as one and fight for the Black Stars not who will be the captain so it’s funny when I hear things like that because I have never said anywhere that I want to lead the Black Stars at all cost.”


He concluded by saying he respects John Mensah as the captain of the team and will always adhere to the decisions of the handlers.


Ayew is making a return to the Black Stars after missing the three previous games due to injury. He is expected to walk straight into the starting 11 when Ghana play against Malawi in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Source: Radio XYZ