Renowned sports journalist Collins Atta Poku has shared his thoughts on Black Stars attacker Mohammed Kudus wearing the number 10 jersey for the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifying games.

He explained that Kudus wearing the number 10 jersey, which originally belongs to Andre Dede Ayew, was shocking to some members of the public.

In an interview with 3Sports, the Sompa FM sports journalist asserted that Kudus wearing the jersey signals that Andre Ayew has been retired from the team despite not making an official announcement.

“We had a structure there, which he came in and affirmed. But what we did with the last round of qualifiers with Kudus raised a lot of eyebrows, not just the captaincy but the fact that he wore the number 10 jersey, effectively retiring Andre Ayew from the Black Stars.

"He [Otto Addo] told everybody that the new way forward is Kudus, and it has not worked out,” he commented.

Andre Ayew has not had a call-up to join the Black Stars squad for the last six matches the team has played in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

Otto Addo has maintained that his selection of players is based on performance and not personal issues with any player.

Meanwhile, Otto Addo announced that Jordan Ayew will captain the Black Stars in their two games against Angola and Niger in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Also, eight players withdrawing from the team has been a big blow for the Black Stars as they aim to win against Niger and Angola and hope Sudan lose their remaining matches to secure qualification.

After four matches, Ghana are third in Group F with two points. Sudan are in second place with seven points, while Angola lead with twelve points.

Ghana will play Angola on November 15, 2024, and return to host Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium on November 18, 2024.

Watch Atta Poku's interview below:

"What we did to Kudus raised a lot of eyebrows" @PapaPoku on the last international break and captaincy issue.#3SportsGH #SportsStation pic.twitter.com/t8Lhgptv9L

— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) November 11, 2024