Ghanaians on social media have been divided on an incident that happened during Ghana’s matchday 8 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Black Stars captain, Jordan Ayew trended on social media on Monday, September 8, 2025, after he was captured on camera, visibly angry following his substitution from the game.
The skipper, whose beautifully taken corner kick led to the only goal of the match scored by defender Alexander Djiku, was replaced by Inaki Williams in the 80th minute, something that clearly did not sit well with him.
As Jordan walked off the pitch following his substitution, he appeared visibly frustrated and mumbled in irritation.
Some social media described Jordan Ayew’s reaction as disrespectful to coach Otto Addo and his teammates.
Ghana defeat Mali to keep 2026 World Cup dream alive
However, others urged Ghanaians not to read meanings into it because top players often get angry when they are substituted from crucial games.
The Black Stars are now on top of their Group with 19 points after beating Mali 1-0 in Accra.
Checkout some of the reactions on social media in the post below.
team owner Jordan Ayew vex say them sub am🤣
pic.twitter.com/lLruDby34A— khendrick🇬🇧🇬🇭! (@_khendrick) September 8, 2025
Otto Addo appointing Jordan Ayew as the captain of Ghana Black Star has done a big disservice to him and the country as a whole. Why?
Otto Addo can’t bench Ayew (captain)
Otto Addo is scared to substitute Ayew
As a captain, Ayew feels he is above everyone pic.twitter.com/q086qBTiVX— Solomon Adusei Peprah (@Curtis_peprah) September 9, 2025
Jordan Ayew paaa, ahhh??? pic.twitter.com/vghizu6Pf6
— Nana Yaa❤️🩹🦋 (@Yhaa_Queen) September 8, 2025
This Otto Addo guy must be sacked immediately. We need a firm coach, one that has control over the players and deal with issues Headon
— DaSaint (@EmmaDaSaint) September 9, 2025
He was complaining about the double substitution of him and Kudus cos that same substitution cost us the game against Chad
— Number 10 (@kojoseddie) September 9, 2025
Why won’t he when his father is the owner of https://t.co/JPsyFMOvmR want to sack landlords son😶
— 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙺𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙲𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙸𝙲𝙴🌼 (@King__Candice) September 8, 2025
Otto Addo has zero aura. No player on the team respects his authority and it’s very evident in their body language on the pitch.
— ❺ (@5judeszn) September 9, 2025
The handshake with the coach tells you it’s a healthy anger
This is normal in football.
Sometimes the players are not angry with the coach but their own performance— Lbietb🇬🇭 (@sir_JAKE6) September 9, 2025
He should comot for there. What did he, Kudus and Semenyo did better when he played Chad and now this? Those guys who came on after played with much intensity and more chances created. Selfish players.
— Dan🇬🇭 (@Danquakkk) September 9, 2025
Look at him. Sia, no proper coach will have a player like him as a core of any team. Roy Hodgson alwas his dad at Palace, a serious manager in Glasner came in and relegated him straight away lol nonsense. No running, no jumping and what did he expect?? 90 minutes?
— Nii Kpakpo (@footy_lifer) September 9, 2025
This is the problem in the team
Where players would be questioning coaches for their decisions
This means the players don’t respect the coach
Plus he’s not good at his work— Ghanabag (@Ghanabag1) September 9, 2025
Messi, Ronaldo , eto, gyan , Roger miller , Drogba , ayigbeni etc all get upset when subbed but Joardan gets upset and yall dissing him? If they hate you they hate you
— LA Manste 🤴🏿 (@nshonasia) September 9, 2025
Stop misleading the public. He was upset with a player on the pitch and not his substitution… This wasn’t his first substitution in Black stars shirt so why would he be upset today after playing 79mins?
— K.Dee (@kosi_dzidefo) September 9, 2025
A player can be upset when subbed. especially when the stakes are high and he feels he can do more , but the coach thinks otherwise. This is seen all over the world. This won’t be the first or that last to see an unhappy subbed player. It has nothing to do with respect. It’s the…
— TiC TAC (@TiCmusicGh) September 9, 2025
The lack of respect by most of these players is why they play this rubbish
— Vãvã (@kofivava) September 9, 2025