World Cup 2022: André Ayew, star of the shepherd of the Black Stars in Qatar
Ghanaian André Ayew during CAN 2021. REUTERS - MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
3 mins
At almost 33 years old, André Ayew is playing his third and probably last football World Cup.
The attacking midfielder, who has also played in seven African Cups of Nations, is more than ever a role model in a rejuvenated and inexperienced Ghana team.
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From our Special Envoy in Doha,
“
I am incredibly grateful to be able to play this third World Cup.
At 33, André Ayew assures that he is not jaded as he attacks his eleventh major tournament with the Ghana team since 2008, after three World Cups and seven African Cups of Nations.
“
Each tournament is different and generates excitement.
And the World Cup is the competition we dreamed of when we were children
, ”he poses, voice calm and serene, before a match against Portugal on November 24 in Doha.
An opponent that the captain of the Black Stars knows for having faced him in the 2014 edition.
In fact, the versatile midfielder has experience to spare with seven combined matches in South Africa in 2010 and in Brazil eight years ago.
In Qatar, he can thus equal the record of matches played by a Ghanaian (11) in the final phase of the World Cup held by his ex-partner, Asamoah Gyan.
For this, however, it will be necessary to play the three parts of the first round: Portugal, Uruguay (November 28) and South Korea (December 2).
And reach the round of 16 of this tournament…
Something that the former resident of Olympique de Marseille (2006-2015) has already experienced on South African soil, with a legendary quarter-final lost against Uruguay.
“
It's very very important for us to have players like our captain who have already performed in the World Cup
, explains Otto Addo, the Ghanaian coach.
There are experienced players like him who can better integrate the new elements
.
“If you don't feel stress or pressure, you're not human”
And the latter are numerous in the Ghanaian vintage 2022.
Indeed, half of the 26 players selected have less than 10 matches in the national A team
. warns Ayew, however, finalist of the CAN 2010 and 2015.
On the other hand, it is I who can advise them
”.
And make sure, whatever the person who was elected Prix Marc-Vivien Foé RFI-France 24 2015 says, that these young shoots approach this start of the tournament in good spirits.
“
I don't feel anyone is stressed or scared before this first match
, swears the former resident of Olympique de Marseille (OM) and who has been playing in the Qatari championship for a year and a half.
It's true that when the game comes they will feel stress and pressure.
It's a
World Cup
and you're playing against Portugal.
It's normal.
If you don't feel it, you're not human
."
However, the pressure never seems to have bothered the son of Abedi Pelé, a legendary former playmaker for OM and the Black Stars.
A heritage yet difficult to assume for André and his younger brother Jordan.
“
It's true that he and I are the only players in the group to have already played in a World Cup.
But that doesn't mean much because we too were beginners at one point.
However, we all the same achieved great things on the ground, at the time
”, concludes the one who has just broken the record of matches in Ghana team, with a 110th appearance.
To (re) read ► 2022 World Cup: match schedule and results
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