Ghanaian striker Jordan Ayew has expressed his strong determination to assist Ghana in securing a spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be hosted in Ivory Coast next year. This commitment comes as the Black Stars commence preparations for their crucial match against the Central African Republic (CAR).
The two teams are set to face off in the final round of the qualifiers on Thursday, September 7, at the Baba Yara Stadium, with both nations vying to qualify for the tournament. Ghana currently leads Group E with nine points, narrowly ahead of Angola in second place, while CAR sits in third place with seven points. Madagascar, having only earned two points in five matches, has no chance of qualification.
Jordan Ayew is expected to take on a leadership role within the team, especially with the absence of Andre Ayew and the injuries sidelining Thomas Partey and Daniel Amartey. Prior to the match, the Crystal Palace forward emphasized his primary focus on helping the team secure qualification above all else.
He stated, “Our primary objective is to secure qualification; that’s the most important thing. We are not qualified yet, so our immediate goal is to secure that qualification, and we can consider other objectives later.”
Ayew is anticipated to carry over his impressive form from Crystal Palace to the national team during this critical juncture. He has already provided three assists in five matches for Crystal Palace this season, and his contributions will be crucial for Ghana’s qualification bid.