Top 6 Players With Most AFCON Appearances As Ghana’s Andre Ayew Closes In on Record

• Ghana captain Andre Ayew featured in his eighth Africa Cup of Nations yesterday
• Ayew came off the bench to play his 35th AFCON game against Cape Verde
• The Black Stars lost 2-1 to a late Garry Rodrigues winner in the 92nd minute

The Black Stars of Ghana suffered a late heartbreak against Cape Verde to lose their opening Group B game 2-1, but it was a milestone achievement for Andre Ayew.

The 34-year-old came off the bench in the 62nd minute to feature in his eighth Africa Cup of Nations tournament, becoming the third player to achieve this feat.

Sports Brief looks at the top five players with the most appearances in the competition per CAF Online.

Players with the most appearances at AFCON

1. Rigobert Song

Two-time winner of the competition, Rigobert Song, featured in eight tournaments between 1998 and 2010. He played 36 games and currently has the most appearances. He is at AFCON 2023 as the head coach of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

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Football

2. Andre Ayew

The record could soon be his if he features in the next two games of the group stage for the Black Stars. He first played in the competition in 2008 when Ghana hosted it. He has played 35 games but has yet to win the competition, losing the final twice and third place once.

3. Ahmed Hassan

The legendary midfielder featured in eight AFCONs and won it four times, including three consecutive ones between 2006 and 2010. He played 32 games at the competition, his last in the final win over Ghana in 2010, where he was named the best player.

4. Seydou Keita

Seydou Keita played at the AFCON seven times, falling short in the semi-final on most occasions and finishing third twice. He played 31 matches for Mali in the tournament between 2002 to 2015.

5. Geremi Njitap

The former Cameroon defender played in 7 tournaments and won two. He played 31 games for the West African country. His last appearance was in 2010.

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Football

6. Asamoah Gyan

Another Ghanaian on the list. Asamoah Gyan also featured at seven tournaments and played 31 games in the space of 11 years. He never won the competition, finishing runners-up twice and third once.

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Ayew’s wife confirms her loyalty

Sports Brief reported on Ayew’s wife picking the country she would support at the AFCON 2023, which is ongoing in Ivory Coast.

Yvonne was born in Ivory Coast but is married to Ghana’s national team captain, and while many expected her to support the country of her birthday, she chose to side with her husband.