Andre Dede Ayew, son of legend Abedi Pele, showed immense qualities of his father’s playing days, helping the Black Satellites hold Cameroon in 1-1 at the Africa Youth Championship in Kigali on Sunday.
The France-based youngster was named man-of-match after playing in his preferred free role position that brought out the best in the youngster.
Dede has been vilified in certain quarters for his showing for the Black Stars during last year’s African Cup of Nations even though he had limited playing time for the senior national team.
The huge weight of expectation is exacerbated by the status of his father who won the African Player of the Year three times and the fact that he was promoted to the first team of French giants Marseille at 17.
Dede, who is on loan to Lorient, brushed aside those concerns with his display in Kigali that also firmly established him as a future leader of the Black Stars.
His defence splitting passes and immense dribbling ability with his left leg as well as his willingness to help his other colleagues offered a preview into the future of Ghana football.
With this performance Ayew will not be ignored by senior national team coach Milovan Rajevac for future matches of the Black Stars.
 On one occasion in the second-half he slalomed past four huge Cameroonian defenders to set up Abeiku Quansah with a good scoring opportunity but the latter placed the ball into the waiting hands of the keeper.
Most importantly though Ayew inspired the Black Satellites to come from behind and snatch a 37th minute equaliser after Cameroon had taken a first minute goal courtesy of Zoua Daogari Jacques.
In the thriller fixture, Dede headed Ransford Osei’s cross to set the Black Satellites on fire.
The Sellas Tetteh-led side looked composed and forced Cameroonians into their own half for the large potion of the match with their stylish football.
Ransford Osei, Dominic Adiyiah, Dede and Daniel Oddo caused a stir in the Cameroon’s defence but pair failed to find the winner.
Ghana could have won it late on but Dede wasted a last minute chance as the junior Indomitable Lions played a physical with some last ditch defending.
