The four-time African champions failed to progress beyond the group stage, losing their opening game 2-1 to Cape Verde and drawing 2-2 against Egypt and Mozambique.
Their final match against Mozambique, where they squandered a 2-0 lead, dashed hopes of qualifying for the next stage.
Ayew, one of the main figures facing public backlash, acknowledged the team’s poor show. In a recent video shared, Ayew took full responsibility for the on-field results and apologized to the nation.
“These past days have been very difficult for every Ghanaian, every Ghanaian football fan, and myself. I’d like to apologize for the results in the AFCON that we just exited,” Ayew expressed in the video.
Read more: Argentina opts for Nigeria ahead of Ghana
He admitted that the team should have performed better and achieved better results, urging Ghanaians to forgive them and shift focus to the future. Ayew promised to bounce back stronger and emphasised that challenges in football are opportunities to become stronger individually and collectively.
“As the captain of the squad, I take full responsibility for what happened on the pitch. For the playing body, we should have done better, we should have made sure that we bring results to our nation,” Ayew stated.
Despite the AFCON disappointment, Andre Ayew remains Ghana’s top scorer in the competition and matched the long-standing appearance record of Rigobert Song, with 36 appearances at the AFCON.
Ayew reassured Ghanaians that, as a united footballing family, they will rise and shine again, vowing never to give up.
Andre Ayew shines on AFCON return
On a positive note, the former Swansea City forward made a significant impact in his recent return to club football. Coming off the bench, Ayew scored twice, salvaging a crucial point for his team. The 34-year-old with a precise header and a sensational acrobatic kick leveled the score to 3-3 against Lorient.
Ayew has now become the 10th player to apologise to Ghanaians. Alexander Djiku, Majeed Ashimeru, Gideon Mensah, Joseph Paintsil, have all issued an apology. Others are Mohammed Salisu, Richard Ofori, Mohammed Kudus, Osman Bukari and Ernest Nuamah have all pleaded with Ghanaians for forgiveness.
Meanwhile, after a rallying call by displeased Ghanaians, the Ghana Football Association apologised as well on Tuesday night.
The GFA have set up a committee to get a new Black Stars coach after sacking Chris Hughton who supervised the atrocious campaign.
Source:3news.com