At the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the Ivory Coast starting on Saturday, veteran attacker Andre Ayew of Ghana will be aiming to set a record or at least tie an existing one.
The 34-year-old, who is now a member of Le Havre in France’s first division, is determined to break the record of players who have scored in all seven editions of the prestigious African football tournament.
Together with fellow Cameroonian Asamoah Gyan, Zambian Kalusha Bwalya, and Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o—the all-time highest scorer with 18 goals in the Cup of Nations—he shares the record for scoring in six.
A sport that started with only three teams in 1957 has grown into a 24-nation extravaganza, and he aspires to be the third superstar to participate in all eight editions.
The record for most tournament appearances is shared by Egyptian Ahmed Hassan and his native Cameroon coach Rigobert Song, who will also guide his team in the 2024 Cup of Nations.
Ayew informed reporters that, with the next Group B matches against Mozambique, Cape Verde, and Egypt—the record-holders—his top aim is to either start or be substituted in the Ivory Coast.
“After that, we’ll have to wait and watch. Since our 2022 Cup of Nations performance was disappointing, ending in elimination in the first round, it is critical that Ghana do well in this tournament.
With four Cup of Nations victories under their belt, Ghana is third all-time, after Cameroon and Egypt. However, they didn’t hold a trophy since 1982, when they lost in a penalty shootout to hosts Libya.
Disgraceful departure
From 2008 to 2022, they finished in the top four six times in a row. However, in 2018, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals, and in 2022, they were embarrassed to lose to the minnows Comoros in the first round.
The sending-off of Ayew in the crucial match against the Comorans did not aid the Black Stars’ case.
Ayew has been retained by a number of managers, including the present one and a previous Premier League manager, Chris Hughton, despite demands for his dismissal from some Ghanaians.
The former Republic of Ireland defender and manager of Newcastle and Brighton had good things to say about Andre, describing him as someone who helps the Black Stars in many ways.
The three-time African Footballer of the Year Andre Ayew was born in France to legendary Ghanaian footballer Abedi “Pele” Ayew.
Prior to his current position with Le Havre, he debuted professionally in 2007 with Marseille and has since played in the Premier League, Turkey, Qatar, and England once again.
One of his younger brothers, Crystal Palace winger Jordan Ayew, is also a member of the Ghanaian team that is considered a favorite based on reputation rather than performance.
Not long ago, in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, they lost 1-0 on the road to bogey team the Comoros in their last competitive encounter before the Cup of Nations.