Former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah has voiced concerns regarding the poor communication surrounding the phasing out of senior players from the national team, which he believes often results in hurt feelings.

The recent exclusion of current Black Stars captain Andre Ayew from the 26-man squad for the June World Cup qualifiers by head coach Otto Addo has reignited this longstanding issue, sparking considerable debate on social media.

Appiah remarked, "This has been a longstanding issue. When you talk to former players like Osei Kofi, you can sense their bitterness.

This pattern continued with players like Abedi Pele, Samuel Kuffour, and then my own generation. It's all about how you communicate with the players.

Senior players, who have contributed significantly and have a wealth of experience, know the team inside out. Simply removing them without proper communication causes hurt."

He emphasized the importance of managing these transitions better to avoid bitterness among departing players. "That's why some players leave feeling bitter.

Each player is different, but we need to manage these situations better to avoid problems. Maybe we make some players feel indispensable.

Like women, players want to be appreciated and pampered. Once we get used to certain treatments, we expect them consistently. It's all about handling it properly," Appiah added.

Historically, several veterans such as Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, Richard Kingston, and John Mensah were not given proper send-offs before their retirement, highlighting the need for improved communication and recognition for players who have dedicated years of service to the national team.