Olympique Marseille remember Abedi Pele-inspired triumph

It was a victory by a French team but it felt very much like a Ghanaian one when Olympique Marseille became European champions after beating AC Milan in the final.

In 1993, Olympique Marseille under the leadership of Bernard Tapie and the Belgian coach Raymond Goethals shocked the then aristocrats of European football AC Milan to win the Champions League at the second time of asking.

It was his corner kick that found Basile Boli, the French defender of Ivorian descent who headed in the winner.

It was another glimpse of how much sports stars of African background will heavily influence famous French wins.

In that side too was Marcel Desailly, who went on to help France to World Cup victory in 1998 and European Cup glory in 2002.

Desailly, born to Ghanaian parents but adopted early by a French diplomat, would later develop a strong affinity to Ghana where he lives now.

It’s fair to say that game started a special relationship not just between Ghana and Desailly but also sealed a strong bond between Ghana football fans and Abedi Pele who with that victory became the first Ghanaian winner of the European Champions League.

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— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_English) May 26, 2020