Qatar's Doha – Andre Ayew, the captain of Ghana's national football team, believes that the Black Stars would be a difficult team to defeat at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which begins on November 20 in Qatar.
Ayew, a football player for Qatar's Al Sadd club in the country's capital Doha, emphasized that the Ghana team must be healthy in order to provide the performance he is looking for.
The Black Stars qualified for the tournament this year after skipping the one in 2018, and they are in the same group as Uruguay, who eliminated them from the tournament in South Africa in 2010.
Ayew was interviewed by Al Jazeera about the national team's preparation, prospects, and expectations as well as the advantages of his playing experience in Qatar.
Al Jazeera: The World Cup won't be here for another two months. How well-prepared are the Black Stars?
Everything is set up for a victorious World Cup, Ayew. The best possible preparation is required, but most importantly, all of your players must be in good physical condition at that time. Before the World Cup, we played Brazil and will go on to play Nicaragua and Switzerland. Despite being friendly matches, they are all significant contests that will be challenging.
These games are helpful because we challenge ourselves and return as a team to uphold our bonds and unity. Prior to the World Cup, we typically have two to three weeks, but this time, we only have roughly nine days. Although it's not ideal, we must adjust.Al Jazeera: Given that Ghana is in the dubbed "Group of Death," what are its chances of moving on to the next round?
We have a chance, Ayew. We are not viewed as favorites, which is to be expected. We are aware that we are not the favorites heading into any of the games, but we are nonetheless prepared to compete and leave a mark. The only thing we need to do is be prepared, focused, and motivated. Every team will find this group to be very challenging.
We can seriously dismantle many teams if we are able to field our entire squad. I am not worried because I am aware of Ghana's potential.
Al Jazeera: Following the agony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, could the match between Ghana and Uruguay be a mission for vengeance?
As team captain, I don't think we should regard this game as an act of retaliation. Instead, we must have the intelligence to understand that it is a game we need to win. While we can't ignore the past, I could have used my hand to block a goal-bound shot in 2010 much like Uruguayan footballer Luis Suarez did. Each of us was hurt. However, that is a part of football, and has occurred in the past.
After everything that has been said in the media, all we want to do is defeat Uruguay. If you enter a game intending to exact revenge, you run the risk of making several errors and becoming agitated as a player. We simply need to maintain our composure, stick to the strategy, and try to win the game—or at the very least, move on to the next round.What do Ghanaians anticipate from the Black Stars at the World Cup, according to Al Jazeera? Are they attainable?
Ayew: Ghanaians anticipate toughness, grit, and a readiness to sacrifice one's life for the jersey. Super-strong teams await you when you arrive at the World Cup, but we've proven over time that we can compete with them and, in some situations, even defeat them.But compete and demonstrate your willingness to give your life for your nation. Thank God if the outcome is satisfactory. The most important thing to me, even if it doesn't, is that everyone in the country feels they did a good job of representing Africa and the country.
We are participating in the World Cup to promote not only Ghanaian football but also African football. All teams will receive African support anytime they play because there are only five African representatives, and this is how we should always encourage our own fellow brothers to achieve history in this event.
We all fight for our nations when it comes to the African Cup of Nations, but when it comes to the World Cup, we all fight for the continent. Additionally, everyone will be happy if we can compete against the best teams and project a positive picture of Africa on the field.Al Jazeera: Beginning in 2026, should Africa be given additional World Cup spots?
Ayew: It will be great if we had more teams. It's past due. We have the most nations, but we are underrepresented, and the qualifiers for Africa are consistently challenging and demanding. It will be challenging for all of the large teams to qualify with only five slots because there are many big teams and huge expectations.
We will have a higher chance of witnessing an African team make it to the World Cup semifinals or maybe win it if we can earn more spots.On Al Jazeera What do you think about the new players that have resigned from their previous teams to compete for the Black Stars? Will they make the team stronger?
Ayew: The players are good, and you look great after making the World Cup. Why not invite the boys? The door is open to any Ghanaian who wants to represent his or her country and play for the team, but you must come with the same tenacity and drive that you brought to your club. You also cannot expect everything that is true for your European club to be true for the national team because it will take time for the group to adjust.I wholeheartedly agree with them and wish them well, especially when you approach something with such a strong determination to achieve. Even though I am not the coach but a seasoned team member, I am more than happy to welcome you if you have the appropriate mentality and the drive to work hard for the Ghana shirt.
Although the newcomers are talented, every position is tough because we already have a quality team that made it to the World Cup. Aside from veteran players who may have an advantage, I don't think anyone has a spot in the squad locked up just yet. Everyone has an opportunity to establish their worth on the field, giving the coach additional alternatives and formations to choose from. I also think it's advantageous to have new players with the appropriate mindset.
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