Otto Addo: Final decision on Andre Ayew’s inclusion lies with coaching staff

Ghana coach Otto Addo has said that while Jordan Ayew would always prefer to have his brother Andre Ayew by his side in the national team, the final decision rests with him and his coaching staff.

Andre Ayew, the team captain, was notably dropped for this month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Otto Addo explained that he had a lengthy conversation with Andre Ayew about the decision, but the Le Havre forward was reportedly displeased.

Despite leaving the door open for Andre Ayew’s return, the team’s performances in his absence suggest they might manage without their most-capped player. Ghana secured a comeback win against Mali in Bamako and followed it up with a spirited 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic (CAR) on Monday.

In both games, Jordan Ayew was central to Ghana’s success, scoring the winner in Bamako and netting a hat-trick in Kumasi. Following the match against CAR, Jordan faced the press and was asked about his older brother’s absence. However, it was Otto Addo who responded to the inquiry.

“Let me talk for Jordan. It’s his brother,” Addo said. “Sure, he wants him to be next to him, but what will happen: it’s my decision, it’s our coaching staff’s decision.”

“As a brother, he would like him to be next to him. But, I have a responsibility for the national team, for Ghana, and I have to decide what is best for the team, and who knows? Maybe he’s there, maybe not, but I don’t know.”

“Maybe I’m not there anymore. We don’t know. We don’t know what happens.”

Jordan Ayew has scored 28 goals in 104 appearances for Ghana, while Andre Ayew holds the record for the most appearances with 120 caps, scoring 24 goals.