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Soccer News of Wednesday, 30 September 2009

Source: kickoff

Abedi Pele: Dede has proven he is a Good Player!

Abedi Ayew Pele has been all nerves watching his son lead Ghana’s quest to win Africa’s first title at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup.

The Ghana side that is through to the last sixteen of the tournament currently ongoing in Egypt is captained by Abedi’s son Dede Ayew who was the inspiration for the Black Satellites as the beat England 4-0 on Tuesday evening.

That same evening Pele, a three-time African player of the year welcomed the African Nations Cup trophy to Ghana at the start of a three day tour of the country and told reporters he could hardly take his eye off the game.

“I was very emotional and into the game, he said. When Dede scored the goal I simply heaved a sigh of relief. He has proved he is a good player in Egypt and as a father I am naturally proud. He took the goal very well and I think he deserves credit for that.”

Abedi was also full of praise for the team’s spirit and stamina. “What has impressed me most is that even though they have not started well, they play their best football towards the end of the game which speaks a great deal about their stamina as a team. Against England they did everything right, their passing was spot on and they really dominated the game.”

Abedi will now turn his attentions to taking the Nations Cup trophy he won as a 17-year old on a three day tour of Ghana and six other African countries in collaboration with Standard Bank.

A Standard Bank football ambassador, the Ghana legend will first take the trophy to the country’s seat of government on Thursday morning before heading to Kumasi and back to Accra in a bid to give Ghanaians an opportunity to get a glimpse of a trophy they have yearned to have their hands on for years.