Iconic African footballer Abedi Ayew Pele turns 60 today, November 5, 2024, with many football lovers taking to social media to pay tribute to the man believed to be the greatest footballer Ghana has ever produced.
With three African Player of the Year awards, Abedi’s status in Ghanaian and African football is unquestionable. As he turns 60, people have dug up old videos of him to celebrate him.
One such video is his goals collection at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations, where he distinguished himself and perhaps produced his best performance for the Black Stars.
Abedi Pele scored three goals as he powered Ghana to the final of the tournament, which was held in Senegal.
As widely known, Abedi Pele was unable to play in the final of the tournament against Ivory Coast, and many people, including Nii Odartey Lamptey, believe his absence cost Ghana the ultimate prize.
Odartey Lamptey, who played in the semi-final against Nigeria, said that he pleaded with the referee not to send Abedi Pele off as he knew the impact it was going to have on the team.
“I ran to the referee and pleaded with him not to give Abedi Pele a red card. I did that, but I think the word that he used maybe frustrated the referee, and he showed him a second yellow card,” he told Sienu TV.
“I knew the final was going to be a war for us because (Pele) was a player who had achieved everything, and when he’s on the pitch, it’s like having three or four players who follow him and take advantage. I think his absence in the final cost us; we should have won that trophy,” he added.
Six decades of magic ! Happy birthday to Abedi Pele, one of Africa’s greatest architects.
Enjoy all of the legend’s goals from the AFCON pic.twitter.com/wGoOKPcV2W
— Andrews Sefa ⚽️ (@Sefaa_b) November 5, 2024
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