London, May 24, 2019 (AltAfrica)-Ghana coach Kwasi Appiah on Friday named Andre Ayew as the new captain while the nation’s football federation said former captain Asamoah Gyan had been made ‘general captain’ for the Africa Cup of Nations squad.
Gyan said Monday he would quit the national team, angered by Appiah’s plan to strip him of the team captaincy, but the country’s President Nana Akufo-Addo intervened and persuaded the veteran to stay on.
“Gyan has been elevated to the position of ‘General Captain’,” the Ghana FA announced on its website, in what is being interpreted as a ceremonial role for the star striker.
(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 29, 2017 Ghana’s forward Andre Ayew celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final football match between DR Congo and Ghana in Oyem. – Ghana coach named Andre Ayew on May 24, 2019 as the new captain while the nation’s football federation said former captain Asamoah Gyan had been made ‘general captain’ for the Africa Cup of Nations squad. (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP) Ayew, a son of Ghana football legend, Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew, made his debut appearance in the Black Stars as a teenager in 2008.
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Ayew father Abedi equally captained Ghana and was one of the first African football players to earn a top placing in FIFA World Player of the Year voting in 1991 and 1992.
Abedi Pele played for Ghana 73 times and is considered the greatest football player in his country’s history, and among the best in Africa.
Ayew captained Ghana’s junior side to win the Under-20 World Cup in 2009.
The 29-year-old is replacing Black Stars all-time leading top scorer Asamoah Gyan, who recently had a row with Appiah over the captaincy position.
Italy-based midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah has been named the deputy captain.
A 29-man provisional squad will leave Accra for Dubai on June 1 for pre-tournament preparations, after which a final 23 will be named for the tournament, which kicks off on June 21.
The Black Stars are in Group F with defending champions Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau
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