Dede Ayew: Football Authorities Sideline Influential Players

Former Black Stars captain Andre Ayew has accused football authorities of sidelining experienced players who gain influence in the dressing room, saying national team legends deserve recognition for their service without having to demand it.

The 36-year-old made the remarks during an appearance on the Obi One Podcast, hosted by former Nigeria international John Obi Mikel, where he discussed how veteran players are treated after years of commitment to their countries.

Ayew, who captained Ghana for several years, was dropped from the Black Stars by former coach Otto Addo in May 2024 and has not returned to the national team since.

The forward suggested that experienced players can become uncomfortable figures for those in authority as their influence within a team grows over time.

“When you become more powerful, as time goes on, in football, the longer you’re in a team, the more powerful you become,” Ayew said in part of the podcast video posted online on September 19, 2026.

He used Mikel Obi’s time at Chelsea to explain how senior players can become influential figures in the dressing room, regardless of whether they are selected to start matches.

According to Ayew, having influence within a team does not mean a player must start every game, as team selection remains the coach’s responsibility.

“That doesn’t mean he’s gonna start every game or not. That’s different. That’s the coach’s choice. But in the dressing room, he’s a boss. You have a voice,” he added.

Ayew said such influence can create tension in football, particularly in Africa, where some authorities may struggle to accept the growing power of experienced players.

“And when you have that sort of power and it keeps growing in our continent, it’s difficult for people to accept it. So, they try to sideline you. They try to put problems on you,” he said.

The former Swansea City and Marseille forward also argued that players who have dedicated years to serving their countries should not have to complain or campaign to receive the recognition they deserve.

“It’s not something that players have to demand for, or we have to complain about. It’s our due,” he said.

His comments come more than two years after his exclusion from the Black Stars, raising questions about the treatment of experienced players and their role in national teams.

Despite his absence from Ghana’s squad since May 2024, Ayew has continued his professional football career.