Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew has opened up about how he counsels his teammates to handle criticism from fans and the media, urging them to stay focused and not let outside noise derail their efforts.
Speaking to GFA media, Ayew revealed that he tells his fellow players to accept that opinions will always come, but they must choose whether to dwell on them or move forward.
“That’s what I tell the boys. I tell them that at the end of the day, everyone has his own opinion, so it’s either you take it or leave it,” Ayew said.
The captain acknowledged the frustration that comes with poor results and the insults that often follow, but he called for understanding from supporters.
“You get frustrated, insulting this, insulting that, but you have to understand that we are human beings. Today can be good; tomorrow cannot be the same. You have to understand that players have emotions. They have families. Sometimes you need to put yourself in our shoes. It’s not everyone who can take that.”
Despite the challenges, Ayew remains optimistic about the team’s trajectory. He believes Ghana is on the verge of something special after years of struggle.
“I had that feeling a little bit when we qualified for the World Cup, but I know there’s more to come. There’s something coming. There’s something on the way. So I know if we keep on pushing, we will be rewarded.”
Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. The Black Stars open their campaign against Panama on June 17. For Ayew, the focus is on the pitch, not the noise.