Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has confirmed that Jordan Ayew will wear the captain’s armband during Ghana’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in November.

The announcement comes as top captains Andre Ayew and Thomas Partey have been excluded from the 26-man squad revealed earlier in the day.

In the previous international window, Mohammed Kudus led the team in a doubleheader against Sudan. This time, Jordan Ayew, the most experienced and longest-serving player in the current squad, will take on the leadership role.

Ghana’s path to the 2025 AFCON has been challenging, with the team collecting just two points from their first four matches after two losses and two draws.

This leaves them in third place in Group F, trailing Sudan and group leaders Angola. Despite the odds, the Black Stars remain focused on their final two matches, which are critical for keeping their qualification hopes alive.

Ghana will face Angola first at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda on November 15. The team will then return to Accra for their final group stage match against Niger on November 18.

Both games present must-win scenarios, as Ghana’s path to the tournament also hinges on favorable outcomes from other matches.