Dede Ayew (L) and Portia Boakye shared a hug at a special dinner with President Mahama
Former Black Stars captain André Dede Ayew has taken to social media to celebrate Black Queens skipper Portia Boakye following Ghana’s bronze medal triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The 35-year-old, who has not been called up to the national team since Ghana’s group-stage exit at the 2023 AFCON, posted a short but telling message on Instagram that many believe reflects his own situation as much as it does his support for the Queens.
“Kudos to the captain, Portia Boakye. Age is just a number. Keep going strong,” Ayew posted on Instagram.
Boakye, 36, led the Black Queens to a 1-0 victory over Cameroon in the third-place playoff, helping Ghana win its first WAFCON medal since 2016.
Her leadership and experience have been widely praised, with fans hailing her as a symbol of resilience and longevity in Ghanaian football.
Ayew’s post, however, appears to be layered with deeper meaning.
For years, the former Olympique Marseille and Swansea City star has been under intense scrutiny from Ghanaian fans and pundits who believe his time with the national team is over.
Many called for his exclusion after a lacklustre AFCON 2023 campaign, where he featured minimally and failed to make an impact.
His omission from Ghana squads under new coach Otto Addo has sparked debate, especially given the team’s ongoing struggles with leadership and consistency.
While Ayew has remained largely silent on the issue, his message to Boakye seems to double as a subtle response to those who question the value of experienced players.
Whether intended as a direct response or not, Ayew’s words have reignited discussions around his future with the Black Stars.
FKA/BAI
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