AFCON Legends: Ghana
With the Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon in 2024 and dozens of Ligue 1 Uber Eats players set to represent their countries in Côte d’Ivoire, we continue a special series featuring the legends of the game from several of the countries that are participating. Today’s feature focuses on Ghana.
Abedi Pele: Olympique de Marseille 1987-1993, LOSC Lille 1988-1990, Olympique Lyonnais 1993-1994.
One of the greatest African players of all time played some of his best football while playing in Ligue 1. He was a key part in four league titles for Marseille. He also won the 1993 Champions League final with the OM against Milan. For Ghana he played 73 times and won the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations. He holds the record for most appearances in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Andre Ayew: Olympique de Marseille 2007-2015, FC Lorient 2008-2009, Le Havre AC 2023-present.
Ayew is the current captain of the Ghana national team. Son of the legendary Pele, Ayew has a very complete career with his national team appearing in three World Cups and in 7 Africa Cup of Nations. He’s won two Coupe de la Ligue and two Trophée des Champions with Marseille. He was the top scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations of 2015.
Jordan Ayew: Olympique de Marseille 2009-2014, FC Sochaux-Montbéliard 2014, FC Lorient 2014-2015.
Another son of Abedi Pele and the brother of André, Jordan Ayew has played in two World Cups and five Africa Cup of Nations. With Marseille he won Ligue 1 in 2009-2010 season, as well as three Coupe de la Ligues and two Trophée des Champions. With Ghana he was a runner up in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. He was also Ghana’s player of the year in 2020.
Michael Essien: SC Bastia 2000-2003, Olympique Lyonnais 2003-2005.
One of the most legendary players to have come from Ghana, Essien made his mark in Ligue 1 winning title on two occasions with Lyon and also two Trophée des Champions. In the 2004-2005 season he won the Ligue 1 player of the year and was also part of the Ligue 1 team of the year in both the 2002-03 season and the 2004-05 season.
Asamoah Gyan: Stade Rennais FC 2008-2010.
Another legend hailing from Ghana, Gyan passed through Ligue 1 with Rennes. In Ligue 1 he had a total of 48 appearances scoring 14 times and assisting 5 goals. Gyan made his debut with Ghana when he was 17 years old and was able to score on his debut making him the youngest player to score for Ghana. Gyan retired from international football as Ghana’s all time leading scorer and the highest number of goals scored by an African in the history of World Cups with a total of six.
