People don’t see Jordan Ayew’s hard work, says Otto Addo

• Jun 11, 2024

Black Stars coach Otto Addo says the hard work of Jordan Ayew is hardly recognised by many with fans bent on only judging him by goals.

The striker has made headlines with his top performances in Ghana’s last two games against Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR).

Ayew climbed off the bench on Thursday to slot home the winner in a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the Eagles. The forward had earlier displayed a mark of intelligence with a great through ball to captain Thomas Partey who missed a one-on-one against the Mali goalkeeper.

Remarkably, Jordan Ayew won the trust of Otto Addo earning a starting role in the next game which brought the best out of him. The 32-year-old scored a hat-trick as Ghana secured a nervy 4-3 win over the Wild Beasts at the Baba Yara Stadium.

The win was Ghana’s third in the World Cup qualifiers and propelled them to first place in the Group I standings pending outstanding matches of other members of the group.

After the game, Addo said, Ayew’s hard work is often not acknowledged.

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“I know that strikers are always judged by goals but he is a striker who can work defensively, and tactically very intelligent.

“That’s why sometimes you can use him as a winger because he closes everything down, he works hard and people don’t see this often.”

Before kick-off, the Crystal Palace forward was honoured for making 100 appearances for the Black Stars.

The hat-trick meant Ayew now has 27 goals for the national team and has already scored six goals in four matches for Ghana under Otto Addo.

The Black Stars are aiming for a fifth World Cup qualification after making it to the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022.