Benching Andre Ayew Was My Choice – Chris Hughton

Head coach of the senior national team, Chris Hughton, says it was a choice he made to leave Black Stars captain, Andre Ayew, on the bench against Angola in Thursday’s fixture.

Ayew played no part in Ghana’s 1-0 victory over Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, a decision that surprised many.

While many were wondering the rationale behind the 33-year-old’s omission, Hughton explained such decisions make up your work as a gaffer.

“This [leaving players on the bench] is the choice you have as a head coach. You know the quality that Andre has you also know the quality that I like to think the squad have,” he told the media after the game.

“So these are very difficult decisions for me; certainly nothing to read into that. He is, has been and is still a very good player it was just my choice.”

The Black Stars were saved by a last-ditch goal from substitute Antoine Semeneyo in Kumasi as he latched onto a loose ball in the box.

Hughton will hope his players will turn up well when the two teams face each other again in Luanda on Monday, March 27.