CK Akunnor backs Black Stars to succeed without Andre Ayew

Posted On Tuesday, 8th January 2013

Andre Ayew will not play at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa

By Patrick Akoto

Ex-Ghana international CK Akunnor says the Black Stars can thrive without star winger Andre Ayew.

The 23-year-old has been left out of the squad for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations after his failure to report to the team’s training camp in Abu Dhabi.

Many including ex-international Nii Odartey Lamptey have argued that the absence of the talisman could affect the chances of the team to end a long-wait for an African crown.

But the ex-Hearts of Oak coach insists the team can succeed without the Marseille star.

“Andre is an important player for the team. No one can question that. But I believe the team can succeed without him,” Akunnor told Accra-based Happy FM

“At the end of the day, it’s not about an individual player. It’s the collective effort of the team that will ensure success for us.

“Yes, he is an influential player and a key member as such. But the country can do without him.”

Ayew has joined his Marseille teammates in their training camp in Morocco, which has sparked fresh debate about the genuineness of his hamstring injury.

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READERS COMMENTS

Kwame PITO says:

January 8, 2013 at 10:29 am

the club statement said he will be out for an initial 5days, therefore him joining marseille to train does not imply the injury was a fake. GSN please stop perpuating something you cannot be sure of. He is not in the squad thats it, accept it.

Reply to this Comment
ndoodoo says:

January 8, 2013 at 11:25 am

at least i now understand how essien is feeling. we did thesame to him and look at how it cost him. dede, i support u all the way.some ghanaians are hypocrites.

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- Ghanaman says:
  
  January 8, 2013 at 1:11 pm
  
  You mean forced him to play in 2010 and Drogba the animal kicked him in the knee and injured him again! If Dede is not fit he should not be there!!
  
  Reply to this Comment
Sammy says:

January 9, 2013 at 1:06 am

God save Ghana. Tournaments are won and lost from the bench and dressing room. We have a week bench and our dressing room is not peacefull.

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