Today in History: Andre Ayew named new Black Stars captain

On this day May 24, 2019, former Ghana coach James Kwasi Appiah named Andre Ayew as the new substantive captain of the senior national soccer team, the Black Stars.

The announcement was made ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Andre and his father Abedi Pele thus became the first father and son to captain Ghana in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ayew replaced Asamoah Gyan who was elevated to the position of "General Captain" of the team after leading the side for a record seven years.

Kwadwo Asamoah, who plays for Inter Milan in the Italian Serie A, was named the deputy captain.

Ayew's appointment followed a meeting with the top brass of the Ghana FA Normalization Committee (GFA-NC) after which approval and full backing was granted to the plans of the coach, the FA said in a release.

"President of the GFA-NC Kofi Amoah has called on all stakeholders and citizens to support the transition whilst the Black Stars prepare their assault and conquest of Africa at AFCON 2019," the release said.