Ghana Football Association’s Communication Director, Henry Asante Twum, has come to the defense of Andre Ayew following criticism of his involvement in a late penalty during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
During a crucial set piece, Ayew was brought in and faced backlash for his role in Mozambique’s comeback in the 91st minute of added time.
Twum, however, has defended Ayew by stating that he was instructed on what to do during set pieces and corner kicks. Despite critics blaming Ayew’s involvement for Ghana’s downfall, Twum emphasized that Ayew did not force anyone to bring him on and was following instructions given to him.
Ghana’s disappointment in the tournament was further compounded by their failure to advance to the Round of 16 after finishing third in a group consisting of Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique.
The Black Stars’ struggles were evident in their 2-1 loss to Cape Verde, followed by back-to-back 2-2 draws against Egypt and Mozambique, ultimately leading to their elimination from the tournament.
This marks the second consecutive tournament in which the Black Stars have exited at the group stages without registering a win, continuing the country’s 42-year wait for its fifth AFCON title.
