Black Stars Captain Andre Ayew Sees Nothing Wrong With Playing in the Gulf Region

• Andre Ayew believes leaving mainstream Europe for Qatar is not a step-down in his football career
• The 32-year-old attacker came under serious scrutiny following his decision to join Qatar giants Al Sadd on a two-year deal last summer
• The skipper of the senior men's national team, Black Stars, who scored twice last Friday insists his move to Al Sadd is a step in the right direction

Qatar-based Ghana international Andre Ayew has reacted to criticisms that playing outside Europe is a backward decision.

The Black Stars captain insists his decision to play in Qatar is not retrogressive in nature after switching Europe for the Gulf region.

Many connoisseurs of the game reckon it is backward for a player to switch Europe for Asia, particularly for the Black Stars captain but Andre Ayew, who currently plays for Al Sadd, thinks otherwise.

“No, I don’t agree [that a Black Stars captain should be playing in Europe]," he told Joy Sports as quoted by Football Ghana.

Black Stars forward delighted to end his Crystal Palace scoring duck

Football

"I think when you are in Europe and you don’t know and haven’t played, yes, you always have that vision. I don’t blame those who have that vision."

“I am very happy and it [transfer to Al Sadd] is not a step down [for me],” Ayew added.

The former Olympique Marseille icon joined Al Sadd following the expiration of his deal with English lower tier side Swansea City last summer.

Ayew has been involved in 19 goals in 24 outings for the Qatari giants in his debut and recently bagged a brace in his side's emphatic win in the Asian Champions League.

Andre Ayew scores and assists in comprehensive win for Al Sadd in Asian Champions League

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Black Stars captain Andre Ayew contributed a goal and an assist as Al Sadd cruised to a comfortable 5-2 victory over Al-Wehdat on Saturday evening in the Asia Champions League.

Premier League legend makes surprise prediction for Chelsea vs Real Madrid UCL cracker

Football

Ayew laid the assist for Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla early in the second half and he later scored the third goal for his team to put them 3-2 up.

Al Sadd continued their dominance in the game after they added additional two goals to thump their opponents 5-2 to pick their first win of the competition.