Dede Ayew: We play Black Stars because of love and passion, not for money

Black Stars vice-captain believes he and his colleagues play the Black Stars because of the love and passion they have for country and not because of money. A suggestion which seems to be gaining grounds over the last 24 months.

The Stars have lost touch with numerous fans following actions in Brazil which seemed to suggest the players cared about money more than the national cause.

But Ayew has explained it is sacrificial job they do for Ghana out of love and support for Ghana.

“The question about the winning bonus is not just me as a player but my colleagues play the Black Stars not for anything but the love and passion we have for the country.

“We love the Black Stars and it is our passion to play for the country and we are playing for the Black Stars because it was our passion when we were young. Playing for the country is the issue of money because we place money somewhere because what is important now is the game and the trophy coming home.”

ON JERRY AKAMINKO'S INJURY PRIOR TO THE WORLD CUP

“I don’t have much to say because we have seen many examples in the past. Players come to the Black Stars and suffer some injuries and at the end their careers comes to an end and there are a lot of examples that we can sight. Jerry Akaminko who was with us going to Brazil World Cup and he was playing very well with his club and playing every week and was close to be a regular."

“He got injured in a pre-tournament against Holland as preparations to the World Cup and he is no more with the Black Stars. His contract was cancelled by his club and it was a difficult situation for him because nobody said I am devoting myself to do this or that but we the players will still support him and we will continue to love him and the same thing happened to Kwesi Appiah when he came to the Black Stars.”

AND THEN KWESI APPIAH GOT INJURED IN JUNE 2015 TRAINING WITH THE BLACK STARS

“He had then signed a contract with Crystal Palace and during training his cruciate ligament got torn and for a year now, Kwesi has not played or trained and besides he doesn’t have any Black Stars insurance that covers him up and it applies to all that players so it a difficult matter to talk about because every player that leaves his club to come and play for the country, that player is only sacrificing for the country because he loves to die for the country."

ISAAC VORSAH AND MCHAEL ESSIEN HAD THEIR BLACK STARS CAREERS TRUNCATED BY INJURIES

“We can also talk about Isaac Vorsah and since he injured he has not played for close to two years now and it now that he is trying to get back to his shape. Michael Essien is one of the best midfielders in Ghana and he first got an injury in Libya and the second one was in Angola so it seems we forget things easily.”

BUT IN ALL THIS...
“What we need to do is, stick together and fight because as it stands now some players are afraid that it will happen to them but we are still going and we will still go because some will come to the Black Stars and they will be injured but we will come back and play the National team because I believe the support will always be there and nothing will stop us from playing the Black Stars. So it not above money or anything but it is about the love and passion we have for the country.”

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Story by Ghana/Asempa Sports/Samuel Appiah