Ayew’s Marseille finally end losing streak

Ghana superstar Andre Ayew helped Olympique de Marseille to a 2-0 victory away against FC Metz in Ligue 1 action on Friday evening as the club’s four-match losing streak came to an end.

Andre-Pierre Gignac scored the goals that keep alive the club’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

The last month has been desperate for Ayew and his OM teammates.

The club, under the stewardship of Marcelo Bielsa, lost four straight Ligue 1 matches—falling to Girondins de Bordeaux, Paris Saint-Germain, FC Nantes and FC Lorient—falling out of the French title race in the process.

However, not only did Les Phoceens slip behind their erstwhile contenders for the domestic crown—PSG and Olympique Lyonnais—they also ceded the Champions League qualifying places.

Indeed, such was the Southern giants’ slump, they actually headed into Friday’s contest with FC Metz in fifth place in the Ligue 1 log—behind both a resurgent AS Monaco and another late runner for the spot on the podium, AS Saint-Etienne.

While Ayew missed Marseille’s 1-0 defeat to Bordeaux on April 12, he was present for OM’s other three defeats during their dismal run. While the Black Star scored last weekend, against Lorient, he was unable to help Les Olympians avoid defeat to Jordan Ayew’s Merlus.

This weekend, Ayew was again central for Marseille as they finally turned their fortunes around.

Gignac was the team’s key figure. He opened the scoring on 38 minutes after Metz goalkeeper Anthony Mfa Mezui spilt the ball, before adding a second—chipping delicately over the Gabonese stopper—just after the hour mark.

Ayew had a fine chance soon after the break, but was thwarted by Mfa Mezui, who instinctively blocked his point-blank effort.

The victory pushes OM up to fourth in the table. While the three points mark an end to their disastrous run, they remain two points behind Monaco having played a game more than the Club of the Principality.

Saint-Etienne can also overtake them again should they secure a drew or a win away at SC Bastia on Saturday evening.