"It Takes Talent to Win": Andre Ayew Opens Up on FIFA U20 World Cup Triumph

"It Takes Talent to Win": Andre Ayew Opens Up on FIFA U20 World Cup Triumph

Lukman Mumuni
updated at April 26, 2023 at 7:09 AM
  • Andre Ayew has opened up on winning the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2009
  • Ghana defeated Brazil to win the tournament for the first time
  • The Black Satellites remain the only team in African to win the competition

Captain of Ghana's senior national football team, Andre Ayew has revealed that talent is enough to win the FIFA U20 World Cup.

The 33-year-old Nottingham Forest forward made history after leading the Black Satellites to triumph in 2009, making Ghana the only country in Africa to win the prestigious youth competition.

Ahead of the 2023 edition in Argentina, Ayew reflected on Ghana's journey at the tournament in Egypt and outlines what it takes to be successful.

Andre Ayew, Black Satellites, FIFA U20 World Cup, Ghana
Andre Ayew has revealed the biggest achievement of career as he reflects on U20 World Cup success. Credit: @FIFAcom
Source: Twitter
"It’s the title that’s given us the most joy, the most honour and the most pride. No one expected us to win, because no African country had ever been world champions in that age category. It remains the best moment of my career. I can still picture the scenes that greeted our return to Ghana. The whole country was buzzing. It’s for those kinds of moments that we play football," Ayew told FIFA.

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Although there are so many factors that come to play in being the winner of the competition, Ayew insists at the U20 level all it requires is talent.

"It takes talent. It's not an AFCON, a EURO, a Copa America or a seniors World Cup, but it is close. These days, there are many players in this age category who are already professionals," he added.

Ayew's career took off after the competition in Egypt, earning promotion to the senior national team. He played at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations as the Black Stars reached the final of the competition in Angola and was also a member of the Ghana team that reached the quarter-final of the World Cup in the same year.

Andre Ayew joins Nottingham Forest

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Ghana captain Andre Ayew is back in the English Premier League after joining Nottingham Forest.

The 33-year-old signed a six-month deal to reunite with former manager Steve Cooper.

Ayew terminated his contract with Qatari giants Al Sadd in January after a season-and-a-half in the gulf and was in talks with Everton and Nottingham Forest.

Authors
Lukman Mumuni photo
Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.