One of Ghana’s best-ever players, Abedi Ayew ‘Pele’, turned 55 on November 5, 2019.
Abedi Pele has become synonymous with the Number 10 shirt for the Black Stars and having been hailed as a star while at clubs like Marseille and Torino, there’s a lot to admire about Abedi.
Known for his trickery and skill, Abedi Ayew earned the name, ‘Pele’, the legendary Brazilian goal scorer. Thus the name, Abedi Ayew Pele.
Other football fanatics also refer to him as ‘The Maestro’ due to ability to take-on defenders and create chances for the teams he played for.
Footballing career
Abedi played for 12 different clubs across a very impressive career. Over the first decade, he played twice for Real Tamale United, Al Sadd, Zürich, Dragons l’Ouémé, Chamois Niortais, Mulhouse, Marseille, and Lille.
Family life
Off the field, the 55-year-old has four children, three boys, Ibrahim Ayew, Andre Dede Ayew and Jordan Ayew and a daughter, Imani Ayew.
Abedi Ayew is married to Maha Ayew.
All three sons of ‘The Maestro’ took after him and pursued a career in football. Ibrahim Ayew plays for Gibraltarian club, Europa where he has played four games this season.
Andre Ayew currently plays for Swansea in the English Championship and has taken his father’s former role as captain of the Black Stars.
The youngest of the Ayew siblings plays in the English Premier League with Crystal Ayew where he has already scored four and two against big clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United.
Individual awards and team accolades
The exploits of Abedi Pele earned him several laurels including winning the African Footballer of the Year in 1991, 1992 and 1993.
He also a part of FIFA Club 100, a list for the top 100 footballers to ever grace football.
Aside from his personal acknowledgement, ‘The Maestro’ won the African Cup of Nations with Ghana in 1982 and runners-up medal in 1992.
He also won the UEFA Champions League with the French side, Marseille in the 1992/1993 season.
Life after football
Hanging his footballing boots in the year 2000, Abedi Ayew came to Ghana and set up a club by name, Nania FC.
He also spends his time and financial resources in mentoring young players and scout young footballers and helps prepare them for the journey in football.
Controversy
In 2007, Abedi Ayew’s Nania FC beat Division One side, Okwahu United by 31 goals to nil in a league game.
With this outrageous scoreline, he accused of match-fixing and manipulation, a claim he vehemently denied. Arguing he was an ex-footballer and he would never involve in such incidents.
He explained that his opponents were hit by injuries and fatigue and his side only took advantage of the situation and trounced them.
His wife Maha Ayew was on 3 November 2008 banned from football against this Manipulations Scandal.
Upon all the scandal and allegations, the legendary status of Abedi Ayew Pele cannot be disputed and his contributions to the development of Ghana football.
