Ghana football legend, Abedi Pele has stated that his sons, Andre Ayew and Jordan Ayew as good footballers despite being criticised incessantly by Ghanaians.
According to Pele, his sons’ constant criticism is due to their talent and the fact that Ghanaians know they can perform better.
He added that he faced similar criticism during his playing days and believes that his sons face the same treatment because they have what it takes to succeed.
“They have never got it wrong. What I can say is that they’ve never left me alone. When I was playing it was the same, so there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s because they know you have it and you can do it that’s why they come at you. If you don’t have it, nobody will call your name,” he told Sammy Yeboah in an interview.
The Ayew brothers, have over the years come under massive criticism following their recent performance with the Black Stars team, with many Ghanaians calling for their exit from the team to make ways for other upcoming promising talents.
Abedi Pele stated that the treatment his sons receive is no different from how he was treated during his time playing for the Black Stars.
Speaking about the scrutiny and expectations placed on his sons, Abedi Pele acknowledged that Ghanaians have always been passionate about football and have high expectations, especially for players with exceptional talent. He emphasized that the attention and criticism come with the territory of being skilled and determined.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Abedi Pele mentioned that he faced similar attention and scrutiny during his playing days, and it’s a testament to the fans recognizing talent and potential.
Despite the challenges, he expressed that he has no issues with the way his sons are treated, as it comes from a place of expectations and belief in their abilities.
“They’ve never gotten it wrong,” said Abedi Ayew. “But what I can say is, they’ve (Ghanaians) never left me alone, when I was playing, it was the same so I have nothing wrong with it. It is because they know you have it and you can do it, that’s why they come at you. If you don’t have it, nobody will call your name, if you are determine and you are good, everybody will come to you,”
Abedi Pele was a true legend of the game, known for his skill, vision, and goal-scoring abilities. He played a total of 73 games for Ghana, scoring 33 goals. Abedi Pele led the Ghanaian national team to victory in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and was recognized as the African Footballer of the Year three times in a row from 1991 to 1993.
He also achieved great success at the club level, leading Marseille to their UEFA Champions League triumph in the 1992-1993 season.
