Player profile

Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew will go one step further than his legendary father, Abedi Pele, ever managed as a player if he takes to the field at the World Cup. His dad was a three-time African player of the year, Africa Cup of Nations and Champions League winner, and arguably the greatest player Ghana have ever produced, but he never made it to a World Cup finals.

Ayew’s performances as captain during Ghana’s triumph at last year’s Under-20 World Cup were inspirational. He then went on to play a key role at the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring the goal against Burkina Faso that sent Ghana through to the knock-out stages.

Operating from the left side of midfield or behind the forwards, he is in with a great shout of making the Black Stars’ starting XI in South Africa after Michael Essien’s injury. His half-brother Rahim is also in the Ghana squad.

He was born in Lille, France and came through the Marseille youth academy, the club at which his father enjoyed so much success. He was loaned out to Lorient and then this season at Arles-Avignon who were promoted to Ligue 1 for the first time in their history.