We’re Back; Forget 2018 – Dede Ayew

By Ivan Calvin Sharpe @calvinivanshar2

André Morgan Rami Ayew, also known as Dede Ayew is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd and captains the Ghana national team the Black Stars. With the twilight of an eventful career slowly approaching, the son of the legendary Abedi Pele now finds himself on the prong of the big time with Ghana in Qatar. And coach Otto Addo’s right-hand man thinks Ayew and his team have every chance and the quality to progress from the group made up of Portugal, Uruguay, and Korea Republic. Ghana is the lowest ranked team among their contenders.

In an interview with FIFA+, the Al-Sadd SC striker revealed many intimate feelings about where the Black Stars stand this moment. Following are some excerpts:

On Qualifying after missing out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia

“We couldn’t be any prouder or happier to be back on the world stage. All of us know what a big deal this is for people worldwide. I feel that now we’re back, at long last, we’ve put the disappointment of 2018 behind us”.

His focus

“I’ve grown up and played alongside different generations, over two World Cups. I’ve learned a lot from them, and I still feel fit and strong enough to play at this level. I had the honor of leading my country to qualification. It was a great experience, but the focus now has to be on helping the youngsters and convincing them that we can progress, for ourselves as a team as well as for the country. I enjoy every moment”.

On his relationship with his brother Jordan

“Both of us are capable of making our own mark and playing at the highest level. We’ll go out there to do our best for Ghana and make the country proud. I played in two World Cups, Jordan in one, so we know what to expect but it’s ultimately a collective effort, not just the two of us. The whole team has to come together, work hard and give our best. I think each of the players has what it takes to make their country proud on this world stage”.

Uruguay

“Football’s not about taking revenge. We simply want to win and make our country proud. It will be our last group game, so I just hope whatever result we get is enough to make it through to the next round. We have to focus on the here and now – what happened before is irrelevant today. We have to do our best to make the continent proud, because playing the World Cup is actually for the whole of Africa, not just Ghana alone. And that’s really all we intend to focus on”.

Portugal

“Portugal are also up there among the favorites and their quality stands out. Not to mention having one of the best players in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo. It promises to be a momentous occasion and we have to live up to what the people expect. We will fight and give our all on the pitch.

“Korea Republic also have a very strong and a solid team, who all know each other well. It’s a tough group. I think the teams are more or less on a par, apart from Portugal, who are favorites”.

Home Support

“I think it will be off the scale. I think we’ll see a lot of Ghanaians in Qatar to support us and watch the games, but I also know how much the matches mean to them. I was in Ghana in 2006, the year after I joined the national team. I know what it means for the nation. The guys back home drive around like crazy and honk their horns. I share the vibe, both as a supporter and a player”.

The Black Stars Coach Otto Addo

“We are delighted. He’s a formal national team player, now the manager and it was he who got us through the last two games against Nigeria to the World Cup. He’s doing a great job and we’re all behind him and plugging away. He’s shown that Africans can make it to the next level”.

Ghana will start their World Cup campaign with Portugal come Thursday at the Ras Abu Aboud stadium, Qatar. Their last FIFA World Cup match was against Portugal where they lost by 2-1 which made them exit the 2014 tournament in the group stage.