Jordan Ayew ready for ‘special game’ against England as Ghana gear up for World Cup

[p]The Black Stars will be featuring in their fifth World Cup appearance, having already participated in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022. Their best performance was a quarter-final finish in South Africa in 2010.[/p][p]Across all tournaments, they have an overall record of five wins, three draws, and seven defeats in 15 matches.[/p][p][b]After failing to get past the group stage in Brazil and Qatar, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ghana/nNBjHale/"]Ghana[/a] are determined to recapture former glories and reach the knockout rounds.[/b][/p][p]However, they will have to navigate past the Three Lions, Croatia, and Panama in Group L to reach that target, if they are to reach the quarter-finals again, matching the best-ever run by an African nation.[/p][p][b]Ahead of the tournament, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ayew-jordan/6Nj04peg/"]Jordan Ayew[/a] has touched on facing England, and what will decide whether the Black Stars will progress past the group stage.[/b][/p][h2]Ghana vs [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]England[/a] special game[/h2][p][b]“It's going to be a special game. I’ve been there for 10 years; it’s like my third home because France is my second home,”[/b] Ayew told [i][b][a href="https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/news"]FIFA.com[/a][/b][/i].[/p][p]“They've been good to me. There have been ups and downs, I’ve experienced everything there, and I have really, really enjoyed my time there. I'm still enjoying it, and hopefully there are more years to come.”[/p][p]Ayew added: [b]“We have to prove ourselves and we have to show that we have quality, and we have to be ready for the challenge.[/b][/p][p]“We all know it's going to be difficult, but we are ready. Obviously, I know people don't think that we will do well, so that is good. I like it when people think like that. We will see when we get there.”[/p][embed guid="0d244167-73aa-476b-a8e8-cb34bdb09733" url="https://x.com/GhanaBlackstars/status/2059028276643795411" social-type="twitter" /][p]On what it means to wear the captain's armband, Ayew: [b]“Obviously, it's an honour and a big responsibility. I just take it calmly and do my best for the country, for my teammates.[/b][/p][p]“I always put them first and try to do my best for them. For everyone to be happy and for everybody to be ready for each game, prepare them as best as I can and motivate them.”[/p][p]The former Leicester City forward added: [b]“I take it day by day. I'm just a chilled person, I'm natural, you know. I just deal with things as they come, and that's how it is.”[/b][/p][image alt="Ghana's upcoming games" id="b444ac36-1949-430d-add2-a96e723976ef" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="125dd1b7-8b04-4e14-8171-d2537a0ef46e" original-width="1200" original-height="1200" /][p]Revisiting 2010 memories when Ghana reached the quarters, Ayew said: [b]“I watched a couple of games in Ghana, then after I had to go for pre-season.[/b][/p][p]“The vibe, the energy they brought into the country, performing well, was incredible. And to see Ghana happy, and to see people going to work with a smile on their face, there's nothing better than that.[/p][p][b]“And that is what football is all about: emotions. We will try and do our best to give hope, to let people enjoy their days at work. I just want to go there and enjoy the moment.[/b][/p][p]“Have fun, make the country very proud, make myself proud, and be happy with myself and my teammates.”[/p][h2]‘I just keep on pushing’[/h2][p]Ayew’s brother Andre remains the most-capped player in Ghana national team history. He has 120 appearances for the Black Stars.[/p][embed guid="71ec1d77-ffd0-48ea-be70-35f61f09b4dd" url="https://x.com/GhanaBlackstars/status/2061584270326411680" social-type="twitter" /][p]Asked what it would mean to overtake his brother, Jordan Ayew responded: [b]“I never thought that I would get to where I am today. I just keep on pushing, and keep on working.[/b][/p][p]“But for me personally, I'd prefer to have six caps and win a trophy. I just keep on playing, enjoying my football and trying to give my best for my country and to make my family proud.[/p][p][b]“And to keep striving because I'm blessed, I'm healthy. As long as you're healthy, that's the most important thing. Everything is not going to be perfect, but the most important thing is not to give up and to keep pushing.”[/b][/p][p]Ghana will start their campaign against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/panama/OWKqbCfi/"]Panama[/a] on June 18th, face England on June 23rd, before winding up their group stage matches against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/croatia/K8aznggo/"]Croatia[/a] on June 28th.[/p][image alt="Dennis Mabuka" id="009ee08a-c012-41bf-bdae-acba9770ea19" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="a16f34ea-2a62-4e6d-b558-3e0d6ce275e9" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]