Former Ghanaian footballer Solar Ayew has responded with defiance after Andre Ayew’s omission from the Black Stars squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.

Black Stars coach Otto Addo’s decision to exclude captain Andre Ayew from the squad has sparked controversy, especially considering Ayew’s stellar performance, netting six goals for Le Havre in their successful French Ligue 1 campaign.

Speculation is rife that Andre Ayew might lose the captaincy under the new coach, Otto Addo.

According to Solar Ayew, while the captaincy may be subject to change, the Ayew family’s legacy in football remains intact.

“The Black Stars captaincy is not for the Ayew family, it’s for Ghana.

We have young ones coming so we are not worried at all,” he told Asempa FM.

The Ayew family boasts a rich footballing heritage, with notable figures like Abedi Pele, Andre, Jordan, and Rahim Ayew, alongside Solar Ayew, who is Pele’s sibling.

Abedi Pele, who led Marseille to UEFA Champions League glory, once captained the Black Stars, while his son Andre currently holds that honor, amassing an impressive 120 appearances and 24 goals for Ghana.

As the Black Stars convene for training at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon, their focus is on regaining momentum in Group I after a mixed start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, securing one win against Madagascar but suffering a defeat to Comoros.