The
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Free Zone Board,, Kojo Twum
Boafo, has appealed to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to hold
talks with the Ayew brothers regarding their decision to temporarily
exit the Black Stars.
He expressed worry over the decision by the
sons of Ghana’s football icon, Abedi Pele, saying their exit will have
dire consequences on the nation’s football prospects, hence, a need for
their inclusion in the Ghana senior team.
“If they have indeed
said they are not going to play for the Black Stars again, then it’s a
problem. It’s a big problem…If the likes of Dede Ayew are refusing to
play for your team, then you have some problem…it’s not a good decision
for us at all.”
The Ayew brothers on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
released letters insisting to retire from the Black Stars just weeks
after the national side made a return from the Nations Cup in South
Africa.
Their decision comes on the heels of some perceived
misunderstandings and confusions in the camp of the Stars. Andre Ayew
was dropped from the squad to South Africa following the chap’s late
return to Ghana to undergo medical treatment ahead the just-ended
African Cup of the Nations.
The obviously peeved Marseille
Midfielder Andre Dede Ayew and his brother Jordan Ayew issued letters
stating reasons for their shocking decision.
Dede Ayew in his
letter to the Football Association explained that his decision to
withdraw his services "from the national team results from a number of
issues or matters that have occurred quite recently, especially with
regard to my relationship with the management team of the senior
national team, the Black Stars."
"These matters have so affected
me emotionally and psychologically such that I am unable presently to
offer the best of my services to my dear nation."
Jordan Ayew
also following his brother’s steps outlined his reasons saying; "The
reasons for my decision, although personal, I believe, would eventually
inure to the benefit of the Black Stars, the reason being that in this
period of my temporary absence I intend not only to work hard in my club
as a young player so I can obtain the quality, experience and stature
necessary for a call up to play in the national team, but also ensure
that my membership of the national team when I soon come out of my
temporary resignation endures in a more secure manner so as to avoid the
situation where I am unsure as to when my services are required for the
national team."
"The point I have just made is vindicated by the
fact that although on every occasion that I have had the opportunity to
play for my nation I have played to the best of my ability and served
my nation with commitment, it appears that my efforts have not impressed
the management team of the senior national team." he added.
Kojo
Twum Boafo, in an interview with Radio XYZ Wednesday morning, gave
credence to the Ayew brothers’ position, highlighting that; “One thing
that you gleen from both letters is that they are being very honest
about how they feel. One of them is very annoyed that he was not
considered good enough in the Cup of the Nations which is Andre; good
enough as a striker to be called among the four strikers that were
called. And he actually states quite openly that he’s not been
considered, he supposed to be weighed down the pecking order.”
He
continued: “And then the other one also says that others have said
they’ve left the team and they’ve come back, and being yield as good
players. I think you know the direct reference that Dede is making. You
know the direct reference that Jordan is making; I think that the best
thing for us to do, for the handlers of the team to do is to call them
and tell them that what they saying is not even something that we are
going to accept.”
He therefore advised the Football Association
to take the necessary steps to address their (Dede and Jordan Ayew)
concerns, so, they rescind their decision which he believes will
consolidate the future of the Black Stars.
“They have shown
endless commitment to the course of the Black Stars. I don’t see why we
cannot ask them to rescind their decision. I think they are very angry
about something and we have to accommodate how they feel and move on…”
he stressed. |
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment