Abedi Pele admits boycotting Black Stars cost him more African Player of the Year awards

Ghana legend Abedi Pele feels he would have collected more than the three African Footballer of the Year awards but for his four-year self-imposed exile from international football .

Ayew, the ex-captain, quit playing for the Black Stars between 1986 and 1990 due to personal reasons.

He was then in top form in France with his exploits for sides like Chamois Niort, Montpellier and Lille before transferring to Olympique Marseille.

Ayew was named the best player on the continent thrice in a row from 1991 to 1993.

''I wanted it so badly in the even in the 80s. In 88 and 89 I was on fire in France- destroying everybody but I never came to play for the national team. I also had some personal problems in the national team. From 1986-90 I never came to play for the national. I refused coming,'' the 55-year-old told GTV Sports + on Sunday in an interview

''You know this politics. It has it own things. They sent this man [I have forgotten his name] he was in Kotoko. He came to Marseille to see me and see all the executives of the team.

''So, they then told him they have allowed me-by that time we don't have this FIFA rule that you have to automatically play for the national team.''

Ayew explained his decision to quit international football was to allow him time to concentrate on his club career.

''I wanted to storm France. I wanted to have time, I was focused, I was determined, I needed it more. That was the only way to achieve it,'' he added.