Ghanaian defender Gideon Mensah recently shared the profound impact captain Andre Ayew had on him during his first World Cup appearance in 2022, recalling how Ayew’s words eased his nerves before Ghana’s clash against South Korea. Ghana had returned to the FIFA World Cup after an eight-year absence, and Mensah was set to start in a high-stakes Group H game at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
The defender was a surprise addition to the lineup, coming in for Abdul Baba Rahman, who had started in Ghana’s opening match against Portugal. Mensah’s selection came amid calls for change after the Black Stars’ narrow loss to Portugal, and he faced the pressure of stepping up in a must-win game.
Ahead of kickoff, Mensah’s nerves were understandably high. In an interview with Flashscore, he recalled how Ayew, a veteran of three World Cups, offered him a few words that left a lasting impact. “During the warm-up, the captain Andre Ayew came to me,” Mensah said. “It was like head to head; his head was right in front of my forehead. He said, ‘Listen, you’ve been waiting for this. This is the moment where you need to show everybody’s watching you. You can’t make mistakes—you can’t let them down.’”
The words had an immediate effect on the young defender, helping him push aside his anxieties and focus solely on the game. “That was something that really helped me a lot,” Mensah reflected. “After that speech, I forgot about everything else.”
Mensah’s performance proved instrumental in Ghana’s thrilling 3-2 victory over South Korea. He assisted Mohammed Kudus’ game-winning goal with a low cross, marking a memorable debut for the 24-year-old and a crucial win for the Black Stars.
Since his international debut in November 2019, Mensah has continued to be a valuable player for Ghana, and his experience at the World Cup has further cemented his role. With Ayew’s guidance in that critical moment, Mensah’s debut became not only a pivotal moment for the Black Stars but also a significant personal milestone.
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