French-based Ghanaian brothers, Andre and Jordan Ayew, have announced their 'temporary' withdrawal from the senior national football team, the Black Stars, the local media reported on Wednesday.
The Ayew brothers, sons of Ghana's football legend, Abedi Ayew Pele, on Tuesday formally sent separate letters of their decision to the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
While Jordan was not called for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, Andre was called up but dropped when he said he needed more time to treat an injury he had picked in a match in France.
The two players were due for selection for next month's 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Sudan, billed for the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi.
Andre, a midfielder, in his letter, said it was 'with profound regret that I have decided to withdraw my services for the national team temporarily'.
He said the decision followed a number of issues that had occurred recently, 'especially with regard to my relationship with the management team of the senior national team'.
Andre wrote: 'These matters have so affected me emotionally and psychologically such that I am unable presently to offer the best of my services to my dear nation.
'I assure my colleagues in the national team and my fans that my decision is only to enable me pull myself together and motivate myself (in the circumstances in which I currently find myself) in order that I would return with a renewed fervour to assist my colleagues carry the cause of the national team to higher levels. My decision is not novel. Some of my colleagues who have previously taken such decisions have returned more strongly and with vigour to serve the nation.
'Finally, I hereby affirm my avowed love, devotion and commitment to my beloved country, the Republic of Ghana, whose national teams I have pledged to always faithfully and dutifully serve to the best of my ability.'
Jordan, a striker, said although the reasons for his were personal, he believed the decision would eventually be to the benefit of the Black Stars.
'The reason (is) that in this period of my temporary absence, I intend not only to work hard in my club as a young player so I can obtain the quality, experience and stature necessary for a call up to play in the national team, but also ensure that my membership of the national team when I come out of my temporary resignation endures in a more secure manner so as to avoid the situation where I am unsure as to when my services are required for the national team.'
Jordan said although on every occasion that he had had the opportunity to play for the nation he had played to the best of his ability and served with commitment, it appeared that his efforts had not impressed the management team of the senior national team.
Jordan wrote: 'The reason is that in the position for which my services are required for the national team, I have been ranked way behind several players as not to merit a place in the team on occasions when it mattered. My observation comes against the backdrop of the fact that I was considered not good enough to play for the national team even at a time when my club believed I was doing very well and honoured me with the player of the month award.
'In this regard, I have decided that I need to work harder, especially in my club, in the hope that I can convince the management team of the Black Stars in the very near future by the grace of the Almighty that my efforts merit a place in the national team, not just occasionally or sporadically but more permanently in so far as I still actively play football.'
Pana 27/02/2013