Former Ghana coach Otto Addo has refused to blame Andre Ayew for the Black Stars defeat against Uruguay after failing to convert a penalty during the tie.
Ayew had the opportunity to give Ghana the advantage in the 17th minute after the Black Stars were award a penalty, but the 32-year-old missed from the spot.
Uruguay defeated Ghana 2-0, courtesy a first half brace from Giorgian Dde Arrasteca.
Many Ghanaians has blamed the Al Sadd star for the Black Stars defeat against the South American giants but the Germany-based trainer thinks otherwise.
“This is football. When I was a player I didn’t like taking penalties so I have to applaud everyone who is going there,” he told reporters.
“For me Andre has done a lot for the squad. He is such a great character and a leader.”
“What hurts the most is that we are out, it doesn’t matter who it was. I know that the public and a lot of people were seeking revenge, but I don’t think this way and I told the players that they shouldn’t think this way too,” he said.
Meanwhile, Otto Addo has stepped down as coach of the national team to concentrate on his role as the talent development coach at Dortmund.
“I said I would resign after the World Cup even if we were world champions,” he said.
Ayew scored Ghana's first goal at the World Cup in the 3-2 defeat to Portugal in the group opener.
The Black Stars are expected in Ghana on Monday with preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers set to begin in earnest.
The four-time African champions sit top of Group D with four points from the first two games of the qualifiers.