Mohammed Polo has openly backed Otto Addo’s decision to exclude Andre Ayew from the Black Stars squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.
The former Dortmund talent coach’s choice to leave out Ayew caught many off guard, but for Polo, it represents a natural progression in a footballer’s career, and he stands in agreement with Addo’s call.
In response to the exclusion, Polo articulated that such decisions are inherent to the ebb and flow of a player’s journey in football.
“Football operates in cycles, and it’s only natural that players experience peaks and declines. Accepting this is part of the game. When Gyan relinquished the captaincy to Dede before departing the national team, it mirrored the transition happening now,” Polo asserted during an interview with Connect 97.1FM.
This isn’t the first time Ayew has found himself omitted from the Black Stars lineup. He last faced a similar situation in 2023 when Ghana suffered defeats against Mexico and the USA in international friendlies.
