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It has been almost a year since the Black Stars stepped onto the green grass to play a competitive game. In addition to a number of new appointments in the team’s technical division, we have also made changes to the leadership position in the playing corps by appointing Thomas Teye-Partey and Richard Ofori as two alternates for Andre Ayew.. Within hours of all the major friendly matches against Mali and later against Qatar, we met with Captain Andre Ayew to assess the team, touch on the new players, and discuss the matches against Mali and Qatar. This is what he told ghanafa.org:
On preparing for the two games
I think everything looks positive so far. The players have shown great spirit and character since we arrived here, the attitude in the camp and the desire to deliver is very positive and I have no doubt that we are on the right track. Training has been great and we are ready for both games.
On new players and getting a chance to play for Ghana
Being called up to play for the Black Stars, I would say, was part of their dream when they were young. So I usually tell them, remember when you were young and you would watch the Black Stars play and say if you ever had a chance to be on the team, what would you do? So, I think this is what this is about. Your happiness, your pride, making your family happy, making the nation happy, so you just have to go out on the pitch and do what you have to do. But we know that it is not easy, there is a lot of pressure. Ghanaians demand a lot because football is the sport that we love, so we have to be up to the task and I think they are prepared and would give everything they have for us to have a good result.
About Thomas Partey and Richard Ofori
I think they are preparing them for the future, I think Thomas (Partey) has been in the team for five years, since 2015. Then, little by little he is arriving, he has proven his worth in the national team and also in the club. level. I mean on the court and also off the court, he is maturing more and more, becoming someone we can trust off the court as well. So, I think giving him a responsibility like this is giving him the status of understanding that the country and the national team count on him a lot, not only now but also for the future. Because he is a very good and talented player who knows how to play the kind of football that Ghana wants to play.
Advice for the future captain, Partey
I think it’s a good thing for him. I have been there before; you have to know that it is a heavy position. We have good times and bad times. He has to take the hits when he’s bad and take the glory when he’s good. But I think he’s up to the task and will do well as my understudy.
On winning an AFCON trophy
Our dream, the dream of every Ghanaian, my personal dream is to make sure the trophy gets home. But we have a year and a half left, so let’s take our time. We have to play the rankings, we have time to prepare, it is a new Black Stars, although I really don’t like the new name Black Stars. Black Stars is Black Stars, if you come and wear the jersey, you have to prove yourself and as I said, there are many players who are there, who are tried and tested players in their League.
On the competition for places in the team
For me, I think the guys who are here will do their best, the squad and the Ghanaians will be able to see them play, see them on the field. And everyone has to be prepared for the future and everyone is going to fight for a place. Everybody will make sure he’s on the team that will be used for the playoffs next month and in the future, so we have to be prepared for that. I hope we make it.
About Mali and Qatar
Two difficult games. Qatar is the Asian champion and Mali is a very good team. They have built a team in recent years that has grown into one of the best teams in Africa. We are going to prepare, we are ready for them, as I said, they have a full squad, a full house, they come with everyone. We can say that we have a lot of new players in the squad. New players that the staff want to see, so we’re going to go to this field and give everything we have and make sure we give Ghanaians something to smile about. But we are not going to sit here and make predictions. I know that the boys will give everything they have because they are boys who have joined the team and dream of staying at the Black Stars.
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