Regarded as one of the greatest African football players in history, Abedi Ayew Pele distinguished himself both on and off the pitch as an outstanding player to earn many accolades in the world of football.
Among the numerous exploits he has achieved, there are a few iconic things that Abedi Pele breathe life into to become a force to reckon with in football.
Today, Ghanaweb takes a look at ways in which Abedi Ayew Pele made gold out of dust.
RTU
The history of Ghanaian football club, Real Tamale United will not be complete without the impact of the Maestro.
Despite spending just a short time with the Northern club, Abedi helped the then young club to gain prominence in Ghanaian football.
It was during his time at RTU that football fans spotted the promising Ghanaian footballer. Abedi joined RTU as a teenager, helping them beat some of the top teams in the league.
History has it that, the attacking midfielder was part of RTU’s squad that stormed Kumasi to end Asante Kotoko’s invincibility in the local league.
Abedi’s impact in the club led to the club’s promotion into the elite division and a qualification in a CAF Championship even after his departure.
Chamois Niortais
Abedi joined the French side in Division 2 and helped them qualify to the French League 1 for the first time. Before Abedi’s arrival, the club languished in the 3rd Division.
The Ghanaian lad was instrumental in the team’s success to first division football, scoring incredible goals for the club. Chamois Niortais matches were never televised till they joined French League 1.
Abedi’s performances inspired interest from top clubs in the country but instead, the club chose to sell him back to a second Division club despite interests from Marseille.
However, Chamois Niortais lost Abedi’s ‘Midas touch’ after his departure and after just one season in the French elite League, Chamois Niortais were relegated never to return to French League 1 till date.
UEFA Champions League exploits
The African Maradona took his golden touch to Olympique Marseille where he won three consecutive trophies with the French side. He won the French League 1 twice, thereafter he became the first Ghanaian to win the UEFA Champions League in 1993 beating AC Milan a year after losing a final.
Formation of Nania FC
Shortly after retiring from the game, the former Ghananian international went into football management.
As tough as it was, Abedi persevered developing up his club, Nania FC from the scratch despite the number of controversies surrounding his club.
The maestro’s hard work finally paid off as his side went ahead to win Ghanaian FA Cup beating some of the top guns in the local league including a victory over Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the final in 2011.
Abedi’s side ended the year on a fine note defeating league winners Berekum Chelsea to win the 2011 Ghana Super Cup.
African Best Awards
Obviously not the first Ghanaian to win the African Player of the year because his predecessors Ibrahim Sunday and Abdul Karim Razak had already paved the way.
Abedi Pele became the 3rd Ghanaian and first African to win the African Player in three consecutive times, 1991, 92 and 93.
That was indeed a golden era which no Ghanaian has been able to replicate till date. To be precise, Pele won the maiden African Golden award in 1992.
Africa’s first World Cup
Unknown to many, Abedi Pele played an instrumental role in South Africa’s bid to host the 2010 World Cup, the first time the tournament had been held on African soil.
As one of the best players in football history not to have played at the World Cup, Abedi Pele made everything possible to ensure that the generation after him enjoyed playing a world cup tournament on the African continent.
Due to his ability to speak both English and French and his influence on the FIFA committee, South Africa named Abedi Pele as the spokesman to bid to host the 2006 World Cup.
South Africa lost their bid to Germany but the relentless Ghanaian led South Africa again and this time they won the bidding process.
Despite not being able to play at a World Cup tournament, Abedi Pele’s children made it to Ghana’s squad at the 2010 World Cup where the Black Stars nearly progressed to the semis.
The Ayew Brothers
It’s very rear to see former footballers have their sons become professionals playing at the highest level. Not even the Brazilian Pele or Diego Maradona have been able to replicate such a status.
However, Ghana’s Abedi Pele is one of just a handful of retired players whose children continue to grace the pitch at the highest level in football.
All three sons of the Maestro, Rahim, Andre and Jordan Ayew have made international appearance for the Ghana national team. Andre and Jordan both played for their father’s former club, Marseille winning distinct laurels which eluded their father.
Andre Ayew followed his dad’s footsteps by winning the BBC African Footballer of the year in 2011, an award won by his father 19-years ago to mark the maiden edition.
The exploits of Abedi’s children are endless but the memorable part of it was when the Maestro watched his children play at the 2010 World Cup a year after Andre had made him proud by leading Ghana to win the U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
ghanaweb