Why Rahim, Dede and Jordan Ayew never played together in the Black Stars

The sons of Ghana’s football maestro, Abedi Ayew Pele, have all enjoyed playing for Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars.

Despite coming to the Black Stars within the same era, all three sons—Rahim, Andre, and Jordan Ayew - never played together in a single match.

It was the dream of the brothers to play together for the Black Stars but that never materialized owing to circumstances beyond the control of the brothers.

Reminiscing about their childhood, Rahim stated that he was watching the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Andre when they both spoke into reality about their desire to play in the national team together.

"It was our dream to play together. I quite remember in 2006, we were sitting together when Dede told me, 'Bro, next year we have to play in the national team,'" Rahim Ayew told Osikani TV in an interview.

Although Andre Ayew was called to the Black Stars a year after the 2006 World Cup, Rahim Ayew's career path was different.

"The next year, he was called to the national team in 2007. I also had to find my way to get there," he said.

Rahim Ayew got his chance to play for the Black Stars while playing for Techiman Eleven Wonders. He was first called to the Black Galaxies (formerly local Black Stars) where he helped the team place second at the maiden 2009 CHAN tournament.

He was subsequently invited to the Black Stars in 2010 for the AFCON tournament in Angola. Rahim also made the Black Stars squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but after that tournament, he never received a call-up to the national team again.

While Rahim's national team career went downhill after the 2010 World Cup, his younger brother, Jordan Ayew started earning call-ups to the team.

"They never put the three of us together. After they called Jordan, I knew what was going to happen, so I just tuned my mind to focus on my career and life goals," Rahim Ayew said.

"When I was in Belgium, I was a regular, so why was I not called? If Milovan had been there to continue his work, maybe I would have been called."

"The assistants who took over should have at least put me in there to prove my worth. By then, I was gaining more experience and playing regularly. But you know our country."

Despite enjoying just a one-year stint with the Black Stars, Rahim Ayew is content with the little opportunity he had in the national team.

JNA/EK