‘We want the love back’
Black Stars deputy captain, Andre Dede Ayew has made a passionate plea on behalf of his teammates for Ghanaians to forgive and forget any wrongdoing by the Black Stars in the past and rally behind the team to bring the nation success.
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The midfielder admitted at a press conference last Wednesday that the Stars miss the love and affection they used to enjoy from Ghanaians who appeared to be holding some past mistakes against the team. He added that poor attendance at Stars matches lately was one of the most painful things for the team to endure and it was the clearest sign that Ghanaians had not forgiven them for the 2014 World Cup troubles in particular.
“Many issues have happened in the last two years and it’s difficult for us, knowing that when we play the stadium is not full. The only thing we can do is to ask for their forgiveness for anything we might have done wrong,” Ayew pleaded when he addressed the media after receiving his MTN SWAG Sports Personality of the Year and Footballer of the Year awards.
“We need their support, we need them behind us if we are to achieve anything. The media must help to get the love back to the national team.”
He reiterated the determination and hunger by the Stars to end Ghana’s continental trophy drought by winning next year’s Africa Cup of Nations to be staged in Gabon, having finished as runners-up at the 2012 and 2015 tournaments.
“Anytime I walk around, I hear people say they want the trophy in Ghana. We want the trophy more than Ghanaians. Our ambition is to win the trophy next year and that’s our target,” he said.
“I am not God to say we will win it, but all I want to say is we are determined to give in sweat and blood and everything that we have. I promise Ghanaians we will make them proud next year,” he added.
Ayew said issues concerning disputes over bonuses had been played up too much in the media and was having a distractive effect on team cohesion and contributing to the disaffection by some Ghanaians for the team.
“We should put the money issues aside and focus on how to win the trophy in Gabon and have a great tournament,” he stressed.