Ayew plays full throttle in Marseille stalemate

Ghana steamroller Andre Ayew was in full time action for Olympique Marseille kept their Champions League dreams alive by holding Nantes side to a 1-1 draw on Friday night.

French youth star Florian Thauvin put the visitors ahead after 30 minutes, but Togolese international Serge Gakpe levelled in the 64th minute.

Marseille needed maximum points from the game but Nantes who were inspired by their 6-2 battering of Valenciennes last weekend were in no mood to taste defeat as they fought strongly to hold them to a draw.

After Gakpe had cancelled out Thauvin’s opener, Marseille sprung back into life and Andre Ayew had an opportunity to restore their lead, but his shot was blocked away by Riou after Brice Dja Djedje’s cross beat the Nantes defence.

Marseille must now maintain a winning streak in the last few games in the Ligue 1 to stand a chance of qualifying for next season’s Uefa Champions League.