Ghana Veteran Andre Ayew Backs Black Stars' Resurgence After Difficult Period

• Ghana are hoping to return to form after a tough period in their football
• The Black Stars suffered a second straight group-stage exit from AFCON
• Ghana captain, Andre Ayew, is confident the Black Stars will bounce back

Ghana's worst nightmare became a reality earlier this year when they were eliminated from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in the group stage for the second successive time.

The Black Stars were close to reaching the Round of 16, but Mozambique scored two late goals to secure a bittersweet 2-2 draw.

Their captain, Andre Ayew, has admitted Ghana are under pressure but firmly believes they will bounce back.

The draw against Mozambique was a crushing blow to the West African giants, who had been hoping to right the wrongs of the 2021 edition.

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The 2022 World Cup qualification papered over the cracks, but Ghana needed a reset, a new beginning. They fired Chris Hughton, an experienced coach who couldn't deliver a fourth AFCON title, per the BBC.

Otto Addo coached the team at the World Cup in Qatar and is back in a permanent role. He will be under pressure to make Ghana a force in African football again.

His first assignment as the permanent coach is against Mali and Central African Republic in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Andre Ayew hopeful about Ghanaian football

Speaking on Monday, Ayew recalled how his generation dominated but still never won a major title. He said that had placed additional pressure on the next generations.

"There is a lot of pressure. Despite this generation dominating, we still couldn't win. So this creates more pressure and more demands, and the country expects more and more," he said via CAF.

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Ghana last won AFCON in 1982, and many Ghanaians have never seen their country lift the continental crown. However, Ayew believes this narrative will change.

"The players start by getting used to it, by understanding what it means to wear this jersey, which means a lot to millions of people. The jersey is very heavy to wear, and you need to have broad shoulders.

"I know we will bounce back. We work. We are going through a bad time. But we will get through this, I am sure," the Black Stars captain stated.

Mohammed Kudus, Fatawu Issahaku, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Ibrahim Osman are expected to lead the Black Stars to the promised land.

Gyan advises Otto Addo

Sports Brief earlier reported on Black Stars legend, Asamoah Gyan, urging Otto Addo to utilise Kudus when rebuilding the Black Stars.

The West Ham star has emerged as Ghana's best player and has been tipped to lead the Back Stars to glory in the coming years.