The Northern Regional Sports Supporters Union (NORSSU) has appealed for the recall of former Black Stars captain, Andre Ayew, to the national team for this year’s FIFA World Cup, scheduled to begin in June.
The NORSSU said Andre Ayew’s experience and leadership qualities made him an asset to the Black Stars, adding that his inclusion would offer him a historic opportunity to become the first African player to feature in four World Cup tournaments.
Alhaji Mohammed Baako Alhassan, the Public Relations Officer of NORSSU, who made the appeal at a press conference in Tamale on Saturday, said recalling Andre Ayew would strengthen the team and inspire younger players.
He expressed concern over what he described as attempts to sideline the player on the basis of age, stressing that experience remained critical in major international tournaments and should not be overlooked.
Alhaji Alhassan said seasoned players had continued to play vital roles for their national teams in high-stakes competitions, citing Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luka Modrić and Ahmed Musa as examples.
He rejected suggestions that player-management challenges could justify Andre Ayew’s exclusion, saying effective man-management was a core responsibility of any competent coach.
Alhaji Alhassan appealed to traditional authorities to support the call for the player’s recall and urged stakeholders to continue advocating through the media for his inclusion in the national team.
He also called for a policy to grant retired national team players befitting farewells through testimonial or honour matches.
According to him, several former national team players, including Abedi Pele, Tony Baffoe, John Mensah, Asamoah Gyan and Stephen Appiah, had not received adequate recognition for their service to the nation.
He said players of all national teams, both male and female, should be recognised and motivated while alive rather than being celebrated posthumously.
Alhaji Alhassan further appealed for fair allocation of supporter slots for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
He said supporters in the Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East and Upper West Regions deserved equitable representation in the supporter slots allocated through the Ghana Supporters Union, adding that football supporters outside Accra should not be marginalised.
He said although a large concentration of supporters resided in Accra, supporters in other regions had consistently contributed to the growth of Ghana football and should be fairly represented at the tournament.
Alhaji Alhassan commended individuals, groups and companies contributing cash and items towards Ghana’s World Cup campaign and urged continued patriotism to support the nation’s quest to make a memorable impact at the tournament.