Lee Addy Backs Andre Ayew for Ghana World Cup Squad: “He Still Has a Lot to Offer”

Former Ghana defender Lee Addy believes veteran forward Andre Ayew still has an important role to play for the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking to Pan-Africa Football, Addy said Ayew’s experience, leadership and influence within the dressing room could prove invaluable as Ghana prepare for the global tournament.

The 36-year-old recently joined Dutch Eredivisie side NAC Breda until the end of the current campaign after leaving French side Le Havre when his contract expired last season.

Ayew arrived as a free agent to help NAC Breda in their battle against relegation and has already shown glimpses of his quality. He has made 13 appearances so far, scoring once, while linking up with fellow Ghanaians Kamal Sowah and Denis Odoi at the club.

Addy believes Ayew’s presence in the national team setup would extend far beyond what he offers on the pitch.

“Yes, because he has a lot of things to offer the national team — leadership qualities,” Addy said.

He added that the impact of experienced senior players on younger members of the squad should never be underestimated.

“I have been a victim before. Seeing players like Stephen Appiah, John Mensah, John Paintsil, Eric Addo and Hans Sarpei on television, then meeting them one-on-one, motivated me to bring out my best.”

According to Addy, Ayew can now provide that same inspiration to Ghana’s emerging generation.

The Black Stars have appointed experienced Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz as head coach for the tournament, and the team may need every bit of experience available after injury concerns surrounding key attacking players such as Mohammed Kudus and Ernest Nuamah.

Ghana have been drawn in a challenging group alongside Panama, Croatia and England for the World Cup, which will be staged across Canada, United States and Mexico in June 2026.

With the countdown to the tournament under way, calls for Ayew’s return to the squad are only likely to grow louder.

About The Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

See author's posts