Feature: The Rise and Rise of Dede Ayew

I remember all too vividly meeting Andre Dede Ayew in his dad’s house only a few years ago, as a naïve, innocent toddler wondering why people spent so much time discussing football.

Not even the most renowned seer would have convinced me the lad would grow up to blaze the illustrious trail of his celebrated dad, the maestro Abedi Ayew Pele.

Dede Ayew’s story is not a “classic” footballer’s tale; one of an attic rags to riches fairly tale set for an extraordinary conclusion.

Hasn’t his rise been meteoric; yes, refreshingly remarkable.

This is a player we all frowned his inclusion into the 2008 national team during the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. It’s not as though I believe I was wrong. My candid view is that I believe he was rushed a bit early. But surely Claude Le Roy deserves a great deal of credit for spotting the special talent in Dede that early.

Today, not only has Dede become an integral part of the Olympique Marseille side, his fellow players voted him the FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR for the 2010/11 season.

They 21-year-old resisted stiff competition from renowned goalkeeper Steve Mandada and Mattaeu Valbuena. Dede made appearances in 36 games, scoring 11 goals, the most memorable his superb two goals in the French Cup.

Twice, Dede was crowned the Football of the Month and it’s just fitting he has crowned a superb season with the Best Player award.

Be reminded this is an Olympique Marseille side with iconic stars like Argentine international Gabriel Heinz, Rod Fanni, Andre-Perre Gignac, Loic Remy, Lucho Gonzalez, Benoit Cheyron and Julien Rogriguez.

Born in Seclin, a commune in the arrondisement of Lille in France where his father Abedi Pele played, Andre Morgan Rami Ayew began his career at the tender age of 10 at Nania FC., his dad’s club. After a couple of years, he joined Marseille, his dad’s former club on a “trainee” contract. He was subsequently loaned to Lorient and then Arles-Avignon during the 2009/10 season where he aided the side gain Division One status.

But it was in 2009 in Egypt where Dede fired the imagination of the world, inspiring Ghana’s Under-20 side to win the World Cup in dramatic fashion, outsmarting “almighty” Brazil in the grande finale. In truly sensational fashion, the Satellites outmuscled Brazil with 10 men to become the first African side to win the trophy, the tournament having been dominated by Brazil and fellow South American neighbours Argentina.

In the last Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, didn’t Dede prove a “revelation”. You have not forgotten, have you, his 30th minute headed goal against Burkina Faso, incidentally his first senior international goal which catapulted Ghana to the finals where they would lost 0-1 to Egypt. To his credit, Dede appeared in all five matches of the Black Stars.

The rise of Dede had only begun. From a preliminary strong field of 30, Dede finally made Milovan Rajevac’s 23-man World Cup squad to South Africa. Yes, he did make the starting line-up and on June 12 made his FIFA World Cup debut in Ghana’s opening game against Serbia. To the astonishment of many, he started ahead the more experienced Sulley Muntari who had enjoyed success in the UEFA Champions League with Inter Milan. Dede vindicated the trust of Milo, putting up sterling performances in the matches against Australia, and Germany. In the Round of 16, Dede was absolutely superb in the match against the United States of America (USA), assisting on the game-winning goal by Asamoah Gyan.

Dede was appropriately named the MOST VALUABLE PLAYER. For a 20-year-old, the moment was very special. Dede missed the quarter-final duel due to yellow card accumulation, paving the way for Muntari.

Imbued with natural leadership qualities, expect this young man to pick the captain’s armband for the Black Stars sooner than expected.

I pray Dede keeps his feet on the ground to realize his fullest potential, eschewing any temptation to caress his ego.

His immediate ambition is to aid Ghana qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations next year as well as the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The rate at which Dede is rising suggests his place among the pantheon of world greats is guaranteed, all being equal.

God lives!