Abedi Pele

Early life 
Dem born Abedi Ayew into family insyd de town of Kibi wey he grow up insyd de town of Dome for de northern outskirts of de city Accra.Tawiah, Augustina (6 July 2006). "Abedi Pelé Stands Tall In African Football History". Graphic Ghana News. Graphic Communications Group. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2007. Abedi Ayew Pelé was born and bred in a small village called Oko near Dome on 5 November 1964

He attend Ghana Senior High School insyd Tamale. Dem give am de nickname "Pelé" secof ein ability insyd football, wey evoke comparisons to de late Brazilian athlete Pelé."Abedi Ayew Pelé | Ghanaian athlete". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 31 July 2020.Ibrahimah, Seidu (13 March 2015). "Ghanasco, Tamale, Sends Out Distress Call To Her Sons And Daughters". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 28 June 2020.

 Club career 
He be one of de first African players wey go make impact for European club football. Abedi Pelé ein nomadic career start plus Real Tamale United insyd Ghana for 1978. He komot Ghana after de 1982 African Cup of Nations go join Al Sadd insyd Qatar for a $1,000 transfer fee."Interview with Ali Behzad" (insyd Arabic). al-watan.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. After short spell plus FC Zürich, he return to Ghana buh, after both Kotoko den Hearts of Oak fail to sign him, he go join AS Dragons FC de l'Ouémé insyd Benin. He later return cam Ghana den play give Real Tamale United for one season. He begin ein career insyd Europe plus French side Chamois Niort, wey subsequently he join Marseille before transferring to Lille on loan.

For club level, he be key figure insyd Marseille ein dominance for de French league, wey result insyd four league championships den two European Cup finals appearances. For Marseille, he be member of de team ein "Magical Trio" along plus Jean-Pierre Papin den Chris Waddle, wey dey spearhead perhaps Europe ein strongest league side of de early 1990s, wey dey include European Cup final defeat insyd 1991. Abedi be de member wey he per remain of de trio still plus de side wen Marseille defeat Milan insyd de 1993 Champions League final insyd Munich.

He later join Lyon after ein loan spell for Lille. He san play give Torino of Italy den round out ein European career plus 1860 Munich.Arnhold, Matthias (27 October 2022). "Abédi Ayew PELÉ – Matches and Goals in Bundesliga". RSSSF. Retrieved 3 November 2022.

Abedi Pele go sign anoda two-year contract plus Al Ain insyd de United Arab Emirates wey dem nominate am as one of de best foreign players to play insyd de UAE league.

 International career 
Abedi Pele play give Ghana 73 times.Mamrud, Robert (27 October 2022). "Abedi "Pelé" Ayew – Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 3 November 2022. Na dem fixture am insyd de African Championships for 1980s den '90s plus ein national team, den member of Ghana ein victorious team insyd de 1982 African Cup of Nations, buh he never get opportunity go play insyd de FIFA World Cup, as de Black Stars fail say dem go qualify for de competition during ein career. Howeva, people dey argue say he be de most dominant figure for de African football scene top for nearly decade. Ein performance insyd de 1992 African Cup of Nations, for wich dem vote give am as de player for de tournament, plus particularly notable, as he score insyd three successive rounds make he help Ghana reach de final, buh he go collect yellow card insyd de semi-final against Nigeria wey mean say dem suspend am for de final; Ghana loose for penalties to de Ivory Coast. De performance earn am de nickname "De African Maradona".

Abedi be one of de first African football players wey earn top placing insyd FIFA World Player of de Year voting, doing so insyd 1991 den 1992. He win de France Football African Player of de Year Award three consecutive years, he be inaugural winner of de BBC African Sports Star of de Year insyd 1992, den de corresponding Confederation of African Football award twice.

Abedi hold de record for most appearances for de African Cup of Nations. He make ein first appearance for de insyd Libya insyd 1982 den continue to compete for de tournament for de next 16 years, ein last appearance dey cam insyd 1998 edition insyd Burkina Faso. Aside from ein exploits for de 1992 competition, Abedi san earn much acclaim for ein three goals for de 1996 competition, wer he lead Ghana to de semi-finals of de competition despite critics dey expect am make he be insyd de twilight of ein career.

 After retirement 
Ayew participate for more FIFA organize charity matches insyd pass any oda African player. Abedi Pele be member of FIFA ein Football Committee, den de player status committees top for both FIFA den CAF. Dat dey explain why de South African FA make am Spokesperson for dema 2006 World Cup bid.

As dem dey appreciate Abedi ein devout services for ein country, de Ghanaian government award am as de country ein highest honour, de Order of the Volta (civil division). He cam make de first Ghanaian sportsman wey dem honour am.

 CAF-UEFA All Star 
Amongst ein international accolades, he often dey include FIFA "All-Star" selections den captain de African All-Stars insyd dema victory over dema European counterparts insyd de 1997 Meridian Cup.

On 29 January 1997, de first UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup All-Star Match between Europe den Africa dem play am insyd Benfica ein Estádio da Luz insyd Lisbon wey dem televise am insyd 100 countries worldwide, wey dey include 30 insyd Africa, for audience of 60 million viewers. Abedi Pele score goal early insyd de first half den, after Vincent Guérin get ein equalizer give Europe just before half-time, e be de 1998 African Player of de Year, Mustapha Hadji, wey strike Africa ein 78th-minute winner insyd de 2–1 win."All-Stars clash kick off in Bari". Meridian Cup. UEFA. 1 February 2001. Archived from the original on 12 March 2004. Retrieved 6 April 2007.

Insyd 2001, de UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup All-Star Match format wey dem change am slightly for de second All-Star Match wey ego bring togeda players aged between 35 den 45 wey now revel am insyd dema 'veteran' status den play de game purely for pleasure. De squad spark off memories of great footballing moments for club den international level.

 Football Ambassador 
Insyd June 2001 dem nominate am by de present government of Ghana make he serve as de next Chairmo give de FA, opportunity he later give up for more experience former coach of Ghana for wich for ein own words insyd he talk say dis be opportunity for am make he learn from ein superiors.

As we dey talk now, he dey own first division club, wey dem dey bell am Nania, plus de future hopes say he go nurture de young talent make dem augment de fledgling league for de country. He san dey do plenty charity work across de African continent.

 Controversy 
Na dem embroil Abedi Pele for serious allegation insyd Second Division Promotion Play-off bribery scandal"Scandalous Middle League Results". Ghana Football. Ghanaweb. 3 April 2007. Retrieved 7 March 2007. for wich de Ghana Football Association find am den odas guilty. De guilty verdict cam dey attract fines den suspensions give Abedi den odas, buh dese dem quash am by de Appeals Committee for Football Association after dem determine say na irregularities dey insyd de initial judgement for de Ghana Football Association."Suspensions Annulled". Ghana Football. Ghanaweb. 25 May 2007. Archived from the original on 27 May 2007. Retrieved 6 June 2007. De allegations dey stem from astonishing 31–0 victory record by ein club,"Third round results of the National Middle League". GhanaWeb. 28 March 2007. Retrieved 2 December 2012. Nania FC ova Okwawu United side. Similarly farcical 28–0 result"Mariners trounce Tudu Mighty Jets 28-0". GhanaWeb. 28 March 2007. Retrieved 2 December 2012. dem record am insyd anoda second division match dem play between Great Mariners den Tudu Mighty Jets for de same weekend. De clubs wey involve insyd dat Second Division Promotion Play-off Zone III match wey dem san investigate den subject to de prospect of stiff penalties den demotions. Despite ein vehement denials,"Abedi defends 31–0 scoreline". Ghana Football. Ghanaweb. 3 April 2007. Retrieved 7 March 2007. Dem chastise Abedi by sam members for de Ghanaian media, wey dey demand say make dem take strong punitive actions against am, by Ghana ein football governing body as well as de legal system."Maestro Of Disgrace". Ghana Football. Ghanaweb. 3 April 2007. Archived from the original on 8 April 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2007. Dem ban ein wifey Maha Ayew from football against dis Manipulations Scandal for 3 November 2008."(SPORTS- SOCCER) LOCAL: Ayew's wife banned from football". ghanadistricts.com. 3 November 2008. Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2012.

 Style of play 
As he be playmaker, dem know Pele for ein speed, close control, den dribbling skills, as well as ein passing den goalscoring ability. He usually dey play as attacking midfielder anaa as forward. Dem san give am nicknames de "Maestro" den "De African Maradona."Dove, Ed (9 May 2020). "African Legends Cup of Nations: Kanu vs Abedi Pele". Goal.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.Adjei, Michael Oti (16 March 2017). "Profiling Ghana's greatest footballers of all time". ESPN FC. Retrieved 6 June 2020.Teye, Prince Narkortu (1 June 2020). "Ghana legend Abedi Pele: International sabbatical cost me African Footballer of the Year awards". Goal.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.

 Ein life matter 
Abedi be de bro of Kwame den Sola Ayew (ex-Hearts of Oak den Black Meteors). He san be de poppie of André, Jordan, Rahim, Imani, den he marry Maha. Ein sons, Ibrahim, André den Jordan, cam turn internationals give Ghana. André den Rahim – rep Ghana insyd de 2010 FIFA World Cup insyd South Africa wey Jordan den André rep Ghana insyd de 2014 FIFA World Cup insyd Brazil den de 2022 FIFA World Cup insyd Qatar.Akwasi, Kofi (6 November 2019). "The rise of Abedi Pele". Yen.com.gh – Ghana news. Retrieved 26 May 2020.

 Career statistics 

 Club 



+Appearances den goals by club, season den competitionClubSeasonDivisionAppsGoalsReal Tamale United1980Ghana Premier League1101981Ghana Premier League1271982Ghana Premier League2314Total4621Al Sadd1982–83Qatar Stars League87FC Zürich1983–84Nationalliga A189Dragons l'Ouémé1984Benin Premier League811Real Tamale United1985Ghana Premier League197Niort1986–87Division 23214Mulhouse1987–88Division 2165Marseille1987–88French Division 1501988–89French Division 1401990–91French Division 13251991–92French Division 136121992–93French Division 1356Total11223Lille (loan)1988–89French Division 12471989–90French Division 1379Total6116Lyon1993–94French Division 1293Torino1994–95Serie A32101995–96Serie A171Total49111860 Munich1996–97Bundesliga2511997–98Bundesliga251Total502Al Ain1998–99UAE Football League20171999–2000UAE Football League1111Total3128Career total479157

 International 
+Appearances den goals by national team den yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsGhana198110198217219835119840019856119865219872019881019890199020199100199263199342199440199533199664199771199830Total7319

 Scores den results dey list Ghana ein goal tally first, score column dey indicate score after each Pele goal.

+List of international goals Abedi Pele scoreNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetitionRef.117 February 1982Cotonou, Benin Niger—2-21982 West African Nations Cup"=Abedi "Pelé" Ayew - Goals in International Matches". Retrieved 14 April 2024.27 July 1982Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Singapore—3-01982 Merdeka Tournament328 April 1983Accra, Ghana Libya1-01-0Friendly414 April 1985Stade du 28 Septembre, Conakry, Guinea Guinea—4-11986 African Cup of Nations qualification"Guinea vs. Ghana". Retrieved 16 April 2024.526 February 1986Accra, Ghana Liberia—3-01986 West African Nations Cup62 March 1986Accra, Ghana Togo1-01-01986 West African Nations Cup715 January 1992Stade Aline Sitoe Diatta, Ziguinchor, Senegal Zambia1-01-01992 African Cup of Nations820 January 1992Stade de l'Amitie, Dakar, Senegal Congo2-12-11992 African Cup of Nations923 January 1992Stade de l'Amitie, Dakar, Senegal Nigeria1-12-11992 African Cup of Nations1031 January 1993Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, Ghana Burundi1-01-01994 FIFA World Cup qualification1125 July 1993Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Monrovia, Liberia Liberia—2-01994 African Cup of Nations qualification1225 February 1995Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway Norway1-12-3Friendly132-31412 November 1995Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana Sierra Leone2-02-0Friendly155 January 1996Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia1-01-1Friendly1614 January 1996EPRU Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa Ivory Coast2-02-01996 African Cup of Nations1719 January 1996EPRU Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa Tunisia1-02-11996 African Cup of Nations1810 November 1996Stade Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon Gabon1-11-11998 FIFA World Cup qualification1913 July 1997Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana Zimbabwe1-02-11998 FIFA World Cup qualification

 Honours 

 Player 
Marseille

 French Division 1: 1990–91, 1991–92
 UEFA Champions League: 1992–93; runner-up: 1990–91

Al Ain

 Pro-League: 1999–2000
 UAE President's Cup: 1999

 African Cup of Nations: 1982; runners-up: 1992
 West African Nations Cup: 1982, 1983, 1984

Individual

 BBC African Footballer of the Year: 1991
 African Footballer of the Year: 1991, 1992, 1993
 Africa Cup of Nations Golden Ball: 1992
 Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 1992, 1994, 1996
 Ghana Footballer of the Year: 1993
 MasterCard African Team of the 20th Century: 1998
 IFFHS African Player of the Century (1901–2000): 3rd Best
 IFFHS All-time Africa Men's Dream Team: 2021
 FIFA World Player of the Year: 9th 1992, Nomination 1991
 FIFA All-Star Forward: 1996 (Reserve), 1997 (Reserve), 1999
 FIFA 100
 Golden Foot Legends Award: 2011
 Ghana Football Awards Living Legend Award: 2022
 Ghana SWAG Best Colts (Young) Player: 1978
 On 26 March 2004, he was appointed a "(WAFUNIF) Special Envoy 4 Peace and Development"
 CAF Top 30 African Footballers in the last 50 years: 5th place

Orders


 Manager 
Nania

 Ghanaian FA Cup: 2011
 Ghana Super Cup: 2011

 References 
Category:Living people
Category:Ghanaian men's footballers

 External links 

 "Biography". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2008.

Category:1964 births
Category:Human
Category:Ghanaian footballers
Category:People wey komot Eastern Region (Ghana)
Category:Ghanaian Muslims
Category:Footballers wey komot Accra
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Real Tamale United players
Category:Al Sadd SC players
Category:FC Zürich players
Category:AS Dragons FC de l'Ouémé players
Category:Chamois Niortais F.C. players
Category:FC Mulhouse players
Category:Olympique de Marseille players
Category:Lille OSC players
Category:Olympique Lyonnais players
Category:Torino FC players
Category:TSV 1860 Munich players
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Category:Ghana Premier League players
Category:Qatar Stars League players
Category:Swiss Super League players
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Category:Ligue 2 players
Category:Ligue 1 players
Category:Serie A players
Category:Bundesliga players
Category:UAE Pro League players
Category:UEFA Champions League winning players
Category:African Footballer of de Year winners
Category:Ghana men's international footballers
Category:1982 African Cup of Nations players
Category:1992 African Cup of Nations players
Category:1996 African Cup of Nations players
Category:1998 African Cup of Nations players
Category:Africa Cup of Nations-winning players
Category:FIFA 100
Category:Ghanaian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople insyd Qatar
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Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople insyd Germany
Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople insyd de United Arab Emirates
Category:Expatriate men's footballers insyd Qatar
Category:Expatriate men's footballers insyd Switzerland
Category:Expatriate men's footballers insyd Italy
Category:Expatriate men's footballers insyd Benin
Category:Expatriate men's footballers insyd France
Category:Expatriate men's footballers insyd Germany
Category:Expatriate men's footballers insyd de United Arab Emirates
Category:Recipients of de Order of the Volta
Category:Ayew family
Category:Real Tamale United non-playing staff
Category:Ghana Senior High School (Tamale) alumni