Ayew Brothers Withdraw Services From National Team (Unedited Letters)

Andre and Jordan Ayew have, in a letter to the Ghana Football Association, requested for temporary reprieve from the national team, the Black Stars.

Below is a copy of the letter from the Dede Ayew
Dear Sir,
RE: WITHDRAWAL OF SERVICES FOR THE SENIOR NATIONAL TEAM (BLACK STARS) TEMPORARILY

It is with profound regret that I write to communicate to you my decision to withdraw my services for the national team temporarily.

My decision to withdraw my services from the national team results from a number of issues or matters that have occurred quite recently, especially with regard to my relationship with the management team of the senior national team, the Black Stars. These matters have so affected me emotionally and psychologically such that I am unable presently to offer the best of my services to my dear nation.

In the meantime I take this opportunity to congratulate my colleagues in the national team for their performance in the just ended AFCON competition. Although we did not win the cup I take the view that their performance is commendable since the team maintained the same standard of performance by way of position whereas others like the Zambian national team bowed out in the preliminary stages of the competition.

I assure my colleagues in the national team and my fans that my decision is only to enable me pull myself together and motivate myself (in the circumstances in which I currently find myself) in order that I would return with a renewed fervor to assist my colleagues carry the cause of the national team to higher levels. My decision is not novel. Some of my colleagues who have previously taken such decisions have returned more strongly and with vigour to serve the nation.

Finally, I hereby affirm my avowed love, devotion and commitment to my beloved country the Republic of Ghana whose national teams I have pledged to always faithfully and dutifully serve to the best of my ability.

Thank you
DEDE AYEW
Below is a copy of the letter from the Jordan Ayew

Dear Sir,
RE: TEMPORARY RESIGNATION FROM INTERNATIONAL SOCCER

I write to formally communicate to you my decision to withdraw my services temporarily from the senior national team, the Black Stars.

The reasons for my decision, although personal, I believe, would eventually inure to the benefit of the Black Stars, the reason being that in this period of my temporary absence I intend not only to work hard in my club as a young player so I can obtain the quality, experience and stature necessary for a call up to play in the national team, but also ensure that my membership of the national team when I soon come out of my temporary resignation endures in a more secure manner so as to avoid the situation where I am unsure as to when my services are required for the national team.

The point I have just made is vindicated by the fact that although on every occasion that I have had the opportunity to play for my nation I have played to the best of my ability and served my nation with commitment, it appears that my efforts have not impressed the management team of the senior national team.

The reason is that in the position for which my services are required for the national team, I have been ranked way behind several players as not to merit a place in the team on occasions when it mattered. My observation comes against the backdrop of the fact that I was considered not good enough to play for the national team even at a time when my club believed I was doing very well and honoured with player of the month for my club.

In this regard, I have decided that I need to work harder especially in my club in the hope that I can convince the management team of the Black Stars in the very near future by the grace of the Almighty that my efforts merit a place in the national team, not just occasionally or sporadically but more permanently in so far as I still actively play football.

I wish my colleagues in the team all the best and hereby affirm my commitment to my beloved country the Republic of Ghana and pledge to always faithfully and dutifully serve the nation to the best of my ability when I return. I also assure the fans of my love for them and affirm to them that I am as always committed to all matters involving the national team.

Thank you
JORDAN AYEW
The phenomenon of players requesting for a reprieve from the national team is not new in the national team with Michael Essien, current squad captain, Asamoah Gyan and Kevin Prince Boateng being notable examples.