Though he did praise Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan’s quality and skills on the pitch, Ivory Coast’s coach Herve Renard singled out Black Stars winger Andre Ayew for special praise, branding him their best player ahead of striker.
In a AFCON tournament where Gyan was increasingly absent from crucial matches through illness, injury or a combination of the two, ‘dede’ Ayew. who took up the captain’s armband in the absence of Gyan, was able to provide the inspiration needed for the Black Stars to sail through to the Finals of Africa’s premier international football tournament.
All too aware of A. Ayew’s importance to Ghana, Renard stressed the importance of being watchful of the fleet-footed Marseille midfielder during the 2015 AFCON final meeting between the two countries.
“I know them (Black Stars) very well, but they also have some new players,” Renard said at a pre-match presser.
“If you don’t know Asamoah Gyan is a good header of the ball, then you are in trouble. So, we won’t be surprised by them.”
“But Ghana is not only Gyan. Their best player is Andre Ayew and so we have to be very careful about him.”
Ghana's best player is Andre Ayew, says Ivory Coast's tactician Herve Renard ahead of Final
Despite world-renowned captain Asamoah Gyan being the Black Stars all-time leading goal scorer, Ivory Coast head coach heaped praised on Andre 'dede' Ayew and named him Ghana’s best player ahead of their AFCON 2015 Final showdown.
