From left, Andre Ayew, Salisu Mohammed, Kamaldeen and Jordan Ayew
Relegation is every footballer’s nightmare; a brutal reminder of how unforgiving football can be. Over the years, the Premier League has become a dream destination for many Ghanaian footballers.
But for some, it has also been a place of heartbreak, marked not by medals, but by the sting of relegation. For a few, that pain has become all too familiar.
In this piece, we take a look at the Ghanaian players who know the pain of relegation more than most.
Kamaldeen Sulemana (2022/23 and 2024/25)
The forward joined Southampton from Rennes in January 2023 and has already been relegated twice in two seasons. His first relegation came during his debut Premier League campaign in 2022/23.
His signing was expected to bolster the Saints’ fight for survival. However, Southampton couldn’t avoid the drop and finished bottom of the standings.
A season later, they earned promotion back to the Premier League, but their struggles continued.
Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Southampton on Sunday, April 6, 2025, condemned Sulemana to another relegation, his second in three seasons at the club.
Jordan Ayew (2015/16 and 2017/18)
The Black Stars captain is the only Ghanaian player to have suffered relegation in the Premier League with two different clubs, first with Aston Villa in the 2015/16 season, and again with Swansea City in 2017/18.
Although he had a decent debut campaign, Ayew’s seven goals were not enough to keep Aston Villa up.
Despite that setback, his performances earned him a move to Swansea City ahead of the 2016/17 season. He played 14 games in his debut season with the Swans, scoring once and providing three assists.
The following season, he scored seven goals and added two assists, but it still wasn’t enough to prevent relegation.
With Leicester City in a relegation battle this season, Ayew could become the Ghanaian player with the most Premier League relegations if the Foxes drop to the Championship.
Dennis Odoi (2018/19 and 2020/21)
Nicknamed “The Professor” in the Black Stars camp for his meticulousness and attention to detail, Odoi has also suffered two Premier League relegations.
After two seasons in the Championship, the 36-year-old made his Premier League debut in the 2018/19 season. However, Fulham finished 19th and went down.
They returned to the top flight in 2020/21, but again failed to survive, finishing 18th. Odoi played only three matches that season due to injury.
Those who’ve suffered just once (but once is enough)
Mohammed Salisu
Now at AS Monaco, he experienced his only Premier League relegation with Southampton in 2022/23, when the club finished bottom with just 25 points.
André Ayew
Jordan Ayew’s older brother, he suffered relegation with Swansea City in 2017/18, despite being the club’s record signing at the time.
Daniel Amartey
Part of the Leicester City squad relegated in 2022/23. just seven years after their historic Premier League title win.
Derek Boateng
A member of the Fulham squad that went down in the 2013/14 season under Felix Magath. He made just three appearances as the team finished 19th.
Kevin-Prince Boateng
Despite a decorated career, he endured relegation with Portsmouth, playing 22 matches and scoring three goals under Avram Grant.
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