Ghana captain Andre Ayew didn’t start the 2022 World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe on Tuesday because of an injury he sustained during training.
The Al Sadd star was named on the bench as a reserve from coach Milovan Rajevac when they played with the Warriors at the Harare National Sports Stadium in Harare.
The 31-year-old suffered an injury to the groin during the final training session at the National Sports Stadium ahead of the game.
A one-goal strike in the first half of Arsenal superstar Thomas Teye Partey claimed victory for the Black Stars, who move to the top of Group G’s standings.
The skipper came into the game’s 86th minute following the substitution of Mohammed Kudus.
Ayew was able to confirm after the match that he was on the bench because of an injury he was suffering from.
“It was not an easy time and game for me and the other players, but we are in a period where I have to be there for the team and every point is important, but there are sometimes you have to up a collective decision,” Ayew told the media after the game.
“I think the boss did the right thing [by benching me in the game]. We spoke about the injury I was nursing, and I’m just so happy that we have the points.
“I hope that we will continue like this against Ethiopia and the other game, and I believe victory will be ours. Ghana will surely qualify for the World Cup,” he added.
The Black Stars recorded a 3-1 victory against Zimbabwe during the reverse match on the last day of the season in the Cape Coast stadium.
Ayew scored the goal that sealed the match just after Mohammed Kudus and Thomas Partey had scored while Knowledge Musona getting the consolation.
Ghana will face Ethiopia along with South Africa in the next series of matches next month.