Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew has been named captain of Ghana’s Black Stars as the four time African champions take on Central African Republic (CAR) in the final qualification game to the 2023 AFCON that is to be held in Cote D’Ivoire.
Ghana plays CAR at the Baba Yara Stadium on Thursday, September 7 at 16:00 GMT; the Black Stars need a win or a draw to qualify to the tournament while CAR needs nothing but a win to qualify to the AFCON for the first time ever.
The younger Ayew in the Black Stars has been in fine form this season for Palace with the veteran forward registering three assists in five games in all competitions. He was subsequently named Palace’s Player of the Month in August.
Jordan steps in as captain in the absence of the injured Thomas Partey who is the deputy captain and Andre Ayew who is the main captain but starts the game against CAR from the bench.
Lawrence Ati Zigi, Inaki Williams, Mohammed Kudus and Alexander Djiku are Black Stars regulars named in the starting lineup.