2. Abedi Pele
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Abedi Ayew was born in Kibi (Ghana) on the 5th of November 1964, playing for the Great Falcons up until 1978. His first major side were Real Tamale United, for whom he signed in 1980. There, he scored 21 goals in just 46 matches, before moving to Al Sadd for $1,000, where he won the Prince of Qatar Cup in 1993. However, he soon returned to Africa after hitting 7 goals in 8 games, where he played for Dragons l’Oueme of Benin. With 11 goals in 8 games there, old club Real Tamale United though it good to resign him and in 1985 he was back where it all started. He then moved to France, playing for a host a smaller sides which eventually attracted the eyes of Marseille in 1987. There, the whole continent would know his skill as he won 2 league titles and a UEFA Champions League title in 1992/1993, winning “Man of the Match” in the final. They were the first & last French team to become European Champions. With 23 goals in 112 games, he played 2 years on loan to Lille, where he again netted 16 times in 61 games. Lyon came calling in 1993 before Torino moved for him one year later. He managed to pick up form again, scoring 11 times in 49 matches before moving on to 1860 Munich for another 3 years. Finally, he signed for Qatari side Al Ain where he won the President’s Cup in 1999 and the Pro League the following year.
He debuted for the Ghanaian national team aged 18, going on to enjoy a terrific international career for 16 years. He captained his national team for 6 years, winning the African Cup of Nations in 1982, the West African Nations Cup 3 consecutive times (1982-1984) and the 1992 Player of the Tournament award. He also took the 1991 BBC African Footballer of the Year award, eventually being recognised with the “Order of the Volta” in 1996 – the highest award for anyone in Ghana. In 1993, he was voted the Ghanaian Footballer of the Year for the country he represented 73 times, scoring 33 goals. His legacy lives on in the national team through his children, Andre Ayew & Jordan Ayew.
