By Akyereko Frimpong-Manson
Ghana winger Andre Ayew has admitted he went through trying times in his bid to establish himself in the Ghana team.
The 22-year-old has become one of the influential players for both club and country and has been tipped for greatness same as his father Abedi Pele.
But at 18, Ayew received lots of flaks and bashing from Ghana fans in 2008 when he was named in Ghana's squad for the 2008 Nations Cup final on home soil.
At Marseille, the wing-wizard was declared surplus to requirement and was farmed out to Ligue 2 outfit Arles Avignon.
But the 'fighting Ayew' never gave as he successfully led the Ghana Under-20 team to become the first African country to win the Fifa World Youth Cup.
He then carried Arles Avignon on his shoulders to gain promotion to the top flight.
Ayew reckons these were trying times in his little career.
"I went through difficult moments as a young player. I thank all Ghanaians and I dedicate this award to them. I am very proud of them," said Ayew after being crowned the BBC African Footballer of the Year.