Former Ghana international Rahim Ayew has thrown his support behind the Black Satellites following their inability to qualify for the 2025 U-20 FIFA World Cup in Chile.
Ghana’s U-20 side suffered a heartbreaking exit in the quarterfinals of the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (AFCON) after losing to Egypt in a dramatic penalty shootout.
The game had ended 2-2 after regulation time, but the Black Satellites were edged out 5-4 on penalties, dashing their hopes of making a return to the global stage.
Despite the disappointment, Ayew remains optimistic about the team’s progress and development.
“I’ll not say it’s a disappointment because it’s a process. In some time past, the team was not able to qualify, but this time around, they played in the quarterfinals, so I see that they have been able to achieve something,” he told Asempa FM.
The former Zamalek midfielder noted that comparisons with past generations, such as the era of his brother André Ayew, may be unfair given the changes in the football landscape.
“Times have changed because you look at Andre Ayew’s era, they were playing at the tip level, but it is not the same today, so I believe we should give this team some time and see what happens.
“I believe if we are able to keep it and they will be able to win something in the future for the country,” he added.