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Time for Jordan Ayew to turn up

The Black Stars striker was the object of scrutiny in Ghana’s opening AFCON Game against Uganda, and he is running out of time to impress.

 

A regular at international level, an appearance at the World Cup, played in four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, already experienced the English and French topflight leagues: all this at only age 25.

Any player with such a glittering CV should be commanding cult status in his homeland. However, someway and somehow, Jordan Ayew looks a lost man. He is yet to get into his stride and has been making the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The Aston Villa striker has come under the spotlight once again after his no show in Ghana’s opening AFCON game against Uganda. Ghanaian fans were left frustrated after watching the same old Jordan once again in this fixture.

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The 25-year-old is rated as one on Ghana’s most talented players, but his development has not gone according to what many had hoped. Pace, skill, trickery and dynamism: Jordan has got it all. But his poor decision-making has overshadowed all that potential.

The former Marseille attacker was Ghana’s top-scorer during the qualifying campaign for the Africa Cup of Nations. And although his club form was not the best – Jordan has scored just two goals in 21 club games – it was expected that this tournament will be the platform where he finally explodes.

However, per the performance he put up against the Cranes, Jordan’s tournament couldn’t have started any worse. Sloppy passes, over exaggeration of touches and dispossessed off the ball so easily; Jordan’s inconsistent display left many wondering how long it will take for him to improve upon his game.

But it’s now time for him to step up. At 25 he is running out of time to realize his full potential. Avram Grant’s decision to pick him ahead of Majeed Waris and the 22-goal Raphael Dwamena in his final 23-man squad raised eyebrows among the Ghanaian public. And a repeat of his performance against Mali will only give his critics more justification to roast him.

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Jordan is a talented lad and his potential is evident for all to see. But he needs to put in the extra work to realize that potential. He might still be young, but he is gradually approaching his peak age and he must start turning up on big occasions.

It is unknown whether Avram Grant will hand Jordan a start in Ghana’s next match against Mali in the AFCON. But if he is given the chance, he must take it and prove to the world that he is not finished as many have said.

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