Former Black Stars goalkeeper, Abukari Damba, has come to the defence of under-fire forward, Jordan Ayew following his recent performance in Ghana's 0-0 stalemate with Nigeria last week Friday.

The Crystal Palace forward was named in the starting line-up by head coach, Otto Addo, as the Black Stars were held by the Super Eagles at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in the first leg of the FIFA World Cup qualifier playoff.

Jordan, who last scored a goal for the Black Stars back in March 2021, during Ghana's 3-1 win over Sao Tome and Principe, was booed by the supporters in Kumasi on Friday as he was replaced Kwasi Okyere Wriedt.

In the midst of the criticism levelled against the 30-year-old, Damba believes Jordan's effectiveness depends on how he is deployed by the coach on the pitch.

"Jordan Ayew is a very good player...it's all about how he is deployed on the pitch," Damba said during the JoySports Link on Joy FM on Saturday.

"Jordan is a player who covers a lot of grounds on the pitch."

Damba also revealed that the Black Stars' problem at the moment is not just with its forwards but also how to get the ball to hit the back of the net.

"We need to map out a strategy on how to get the ball in the back of the net. Goal scoring is the problem not just strikers," he added.

The return leg of the encounter comes off at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday, March 29.