Ghana coach Otto Addo has praised striker Jordan Ayew, who often faces criticism but consistently delivers on expectations. Addo commended the Leicester City forward for his dedication and discipline, highlighting that Ayew is well-regarded by his teammates and remains consistently available.
Ayew has recently demonstrated impressive form, netting four goals in his last two appearances for Ghana. His contributions were pivotal in Ghana’s consecutive victories over Mali and the Central African Republic in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, boosting their chances of qualifying for the tournament.
With 28 goals from 104 appearances, Ayew is now Ghana’s third most-capped player. Addo emphasized Ayew’s value beyond just scoring, saying, “All the players have a very good opinion of him [Jordan Ayew]. He’s always disciplined, always shows up very, very dedicated to the national team and that’s his job.”
Addo acknowledged that while fans often expect strikers to score, Ayew also excels in defensive roles, closing down gaps, winning duels, and pressing opponents. “Sometimes, and maybe people don’t see this, when he doesn’t score, he does a good job, especially good defensive work,” Addo explained. “Even if he doesn’t score, I think, for me and other coaches, we see the benefits of him. I was happy for him that he scored.”
Looking ahead, Addo will rely on Ayew’s top form for Ghana’s upcoming matches against Angola and Niger in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this September.
