What does AFCON mean for African players?

When AFCON approaches, all Africans talk about it, even with players from other teams. We talk, we tell each other... "We're going to beat you", "We beat you last time"... Even if we laugh, there is a reality behind it: everyone wants to win it. With AFCON, there is always an emotional side, because we know what it means for Africans and for our families.

And especially for you?

AFCON is the most important competition in my eyes, because I grew up with the dream of winning it. I played it a very young age, with Ghana in 2008 (at 18). I love this competition. It’s one of the last chances for me to win it, after losing two finals with Ghana. That would be amazing. However, I could already won 3 or 4 AFCON titles. I say this seriously, because it can come down to fine details. But in the end, there are none... It’s exhausted me a lot mentally, but also gives me a boost to continue, to hope to win. When you're an Ayew, you never lower your head, so I'll continue.

“OM is the number 1 club in Africa”

Olympique de Marseille has always been a club with important African players. You are proof of it, having played with Taiwo, Kaboré, M’Bia…

There have always been great African players who have worn the OM jersey. I think of my father (Abedi Pelé), Souleymane Diawara and Nicolas Nkoulou. It’s a club that has an African side. Also because it can count on a huge number of supporters across the continent. It is the number 1 club in Africa, especially in French-speaking Africa. This club maintains a special link with Africa.

When we talk about OM and Africa, the name of Didier Drogba comes to mind. Can you tell us something about him?

He’s a gentleman, (someone who had) a huge career with a lot of goals and a lot of trophies. He wore the colors of my club, OM, even if it wasn't for long. He had an exceptional season there which launched him at Chelsea.

⏪ Drogba at Marseille... 😍@didierdrogba || @OM_English || #UEL pic.twitter.com/KtKiE0Dgi2

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) December 24, 2023

Why do you think Africans like Ligue 1 Uber Eats?

I think it’s a story of opportunity. Many players from the continent had their chance there. In history, there have always been Senegalese, Ivorian, Malian and even Guinean players which arrived in France. Which means that all African players dream of coming there in turn, at OM or elsewhere, like Saint-Etienne, which has also had great African players.

Can you tell us about the passion for football among children in Africa?

Even if I was born in France, I returned to the country (Ghana) and it is not easy for all young people. I was lucky to have a good life, to go to good schools and to have enough to eat.. This wasn't the case for all the friends I played football with. When you are a young African, you dream of coming to Europe, of helping your family. And this, even at a young age, because you want to get out of trouble. Africans love football because they love it, and also because they know that it is a way out of difficulty. It pushes you to work harder and do extraordinary things on the field.

“As I get older, I realize everything my father did.”

What do you think of your father Abedi Pelé, of what he gave you?

When I see where he came from, everything he accomplished and the man he has become today... This life he gave to my family and me... He achieved something extraordinary. With age and time, I realize everything he did on the field and especially off it. This is the person who impresses me the most. He believes in everything he does, he never gives in.

And have you watched his matches as a player?

I saw all the tapes of him at LOSC, OM and also OL. I remember a free kick with Lille against OM. His first goal with OM was a diving header while sliding on the ground against Nantes. When I saw this goal a few years later, I told myself that, to succeed, you just have to be hungry, that it's not a matter of quality. He showed how much he wanted to be part of this great Marseille team. Because at the time, he was not yet a guaranteed starter. He was ready to do anything to get there and this goal illustrates it perfectly.

#OnThisDay back in 2015...

We beat Monaco thanks to 2⃣ goals in the last 1⃣1⃣ minutes of the game courtesy of André Ayew and Romain Alessandrini 🤤 pic.twitter.com/h4kjcs6w9O

— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) May 10, 2023

“Eric Gerets wanted me to play more than 20 matches in a season.”

If we tell you OM-OGC Nice (4-2), Round 32 of the 2010/2011 season, what do you think of?

Four goals from Ayew: three from André and one from Jordan. We had a great laugh that day! I think it was one of my best moments in Ligue 1 Uber Eats. At each period of your career, you give yourself different objectives and there, for me, it was my first hat-trick. A special moment. There were other matches where we both scored, but this one was special especially as it seems to me that my brother gave me one or two assists (one, on a cross on his second goal). I believe that it was this match that installed the Ayew brothers in the hearts of the Marseillais. I felt a lot of pride. I realized that it was possible to achieve this level of performance in Ligue 1 Uber Eats. It was an important period because the club was playing for the title at that time. For me, the objective was to surpass my limits, to continue to progress by doing new things.

Before that, you had a loan at FC Lorient in 2008/2009. How did it go?

After my first season at OM, where I had the chance to play a few matches as a starter and above all several appearances to participate in the league, the Coupe de France and the Champions League, the following year, the coach Eric Gerets – who trusted me – wanted me to play a season with more than 20 matches in Ligue 1 Uber Eats. To then return to OM, if everything went as planned. And among all the offers received at the time, Lorient best suited what I was looking for in terms of playing style with Christian Gourcuff's well-oiled 4-4-2.

What did this season with Les Merlus give you?

This decision made me grow because in Marseille, I was really in my little cocoon with all my friends and loved ones. Leaving for Lorient (at 19 years old) was not a challenge because I was still in France, but it changed my habits. I was leaving a place that I had been living in since I was 14. In the end, it went well because I got more experienced and got some playing time