Black Stars skipper Jordan Ayew has revealed how some former Black Stars players helped him settle into the team when he initially joined.
According to him, there was immense pressure on him when he was first called up to the Black Stars, which made him struggle for some time.
However, some senior players in the team at the time, including Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, Michael Essien, and his senior brother Andre Dede Ayew, protected him from the pressure.
“When I started with the national team, it wasn’t easy. The pressure was intense. But I was lucky because we had players like Asamoah Gyan, Dede Ayew, Sulley Muntari, and even Essien, who protected me and guided me well.
“That’s why I am where I am today. All the pressure went to them, so I didn’t feel it. I’ll always be grateful and respectful to all my seniors,” he said during an interview with JoySports.
The Leicester City forward urged the young players in the current Black Stars team to learn from him, Thomas Partey, and Mohammed Kudus.
“They need to get used to the pressure. Obviously, it’s not easy now because maybe there’s only me, Thomas Partey, and maybe Kudus who have been in the team for about five years,” he added.
Ayew’s first task as captain is to lead the Black Stars to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after their disastrous performance in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Watch Jordan Ayew‘s remarks in the video below:
Gyan, Muntari, Essien and Andre [Ayew] shielded me from pressure when I first joined the national team. Today Thomas [Partey] and I, and maybe Kudus, are the only seniors, so we need to be patient – Jordan Ayew #JoySports pic.twitter.com/0slHsj75Kg
— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) March 21, 2025
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