Andre Dede Ayew’s exclusion from the starting lineup for Ghana’s match against Angola, according to Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton, is one of the choices coaches must make in the course of their job.

In the first of two 2023 AFCON legs against the Palancas Negras, which took place on Thursday, March 23, at the Baba Yara Stadium, the Black Stars defeated Angola 1-0.

Ghana struggled throughout the game, but Antoine Semenyo was able to score after a mix-up in the Angolan penalty area following a Mohammed Kudus free kick.

Hughton said that captain Andre Ayew did not participate in the contest.

However, captain Andre Ayew was absent from action, and when asked why, Hughton responded that it was his decision to rest the Nottingham Forest attacker.

“This is the choice you have as a head coach. You know the quality that Andre has you also know the quality that I like to think the squad has…so these are very difficult decisions for me; certainly, nothing to read into that. He is, has been, and is still a very good player it was just my choice”.

After working as the team’s technical advisor, he was officially named the Black Stars head coach in February this year.