For the first time in so many years, Abedi Pele believed to be Africa’s greatest footballer appeared on television in an interview with GTV Sports+ show 'Time With Our Captains'.
The show which traveled for 5 hours 30 minutes never got boring as it got people glued to their seats in front of their TV sets watching the Maestro.
The mega production done by George Lomotey and his GTV Sports+ team was impregnated with testimonies from world-acclaimed journalists like Carl Tufour and Emmanuel Maradas.
Teammates of the Maestro including CAF Deputy General Secretary Anthony Baffoe as well as 1996 Ivory Coast goalkeeper Alain Guamene also shared fond memories of their playing days with Abedi.
For many, it was the moment for the Maestro to be seen by many of his fans and Ghanaians at large but for Abedi, it was the moment for him to show gratitude to those who contributed immensely towards his career success.
The show started on an emotional note of Abedi meeting one of the people who discovered him, Herbert Adika, with the Maestro shedding tears of joy as the man systematically narrated how Pele was disciplined and industrious.
With the unannounced arrival of Mr. Alhassan Andani – Executive Director – of Stanbic Bank, and the testimony of South Africa FA President Danny Jordaan, the show hit its orgasmic level.
Danny narrated how Abedi steered the bid for South Africa to emerge host of the 2010 World Cup despite an initial failed attempt in 2006 and the role he played in ensuring the tournament became the best wowed many viewers.
It hit the roof when Abedi Pele for the first time spoke Hausa in response to questions by Sheikh Tophic Sienu – Editor, footballmadeinghana.com, to the amazement of many who never knew he could be that eloquent in the language.
That was just one of the many languages the maestro has mastered during his illustrious football career as he fluently speaks French, Dutch, English, a bit of Arabic, and four other local languages including Bulsa (Grusi), Ga, Dagbani, and Twi.
Despite being packed for such long hours, uncharacteristic of talk shows, Abedi’s interview caught fire on social media with many applauding the wonderful work of the production team of GTV Sports+ as well as his brilliant and emotional answers.
As the first African and last Ghanaian to have won the Africa Footballer of the Year on three consecutive occasions, Abedi’s achievement in football is the envy of many.
He won the European Champions League with Marseille and was the first footballer to win the BBC Africa Footballer of the Year Award in 1992.
Carl Tufuor believes Abedi Pele should have won the World Footballer of the Year Award between 1991 and 1994 considering his explosive displays and swashbuckling performance within that period.
Social media blew up while the show was ongoing and the talking points on the show still continue hours after the show.
To many, Abedi Ayew Pele has not been celebrated enough but the mega show staged by GTV Sport+ will certainly be one of the best shows in the life of the Maestro for years to come.
These are some of the reactions of followers on social media:
Abedi Pele couldn’t hold back the tears as he paid tribute to wonderful people who helped him like former @AsanteKotoko_SC boss, S. K. Manu, late Veep Aliu Mahama, Ben Coufie, B. A. Fuseni and others. pic.twitter.com/kFZ2qFbGKv
— Jerome Otchere (@JeromeOtchere) May 31, 2020
It was a huge honour done me to be offered the platform to interview the Maestro Abedi Pele. Thanks so much Mr. Lomotey George. God bless u ????
— s.t.s. ???????????? (@DeSheikh1) May 31, 2020
Great show @mygtvsports pic.twitter.com/q4Qwlno1RA
Omg ..!! This is the best Sports content I have seen on GTV Sports Plus since it’s inception. To put the cherry on the cake, Abedi Pele admits his best musician is Kofi Kinaata and they end the over 5 hours interview with Abedi Pele with Kinaata’s song. The Maestro ?????????????
— Kojo Sarkodie (@paakojosarkodie) May 31, 2020
Real recognize real
— Ohene-Bampoe Brenya (@obbampoegh) May 31, 2020
“Polo was my idol. When I see him play, I'll just be glued at the stadium and watch him. The way he dribbles, the way he controls the ball and the way he played inspired me. I always watched him," Abedi Pele on GTV Sports + pic.twitter.com/WY9TYdjh9q
Ivory Coast goalkeeper at AFCON 1992 Alain Gouaméné & Tony Baffoe gets on to celebrate the maestro Abedi Pele on GTV Sports+ pic.twitter.com/nqdL2M51MG
— Emma Adu-Gyamfi (@iam_adugyamfi) May 31, 2020
Karl Tuffour always a big fan of Abedi Pele...Man could spend 30min out of his 2hours lecture time to talk about the Maestro anytime he came for lectures back in GIJ.....
— Frank Darkwah (@Blaqqkoffi) May 31, 2020
GTV Sports over the past months, the BEST. Mr George Lomotey!
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) May 31, 2020
Such a big difference.
Old man is indeed an old man (Panin de Panin) ampa
Abedi Pele weeps.
— Gary #StayAtHome (@garyalsmith) May 31, 2020
State broadcaster GTV surprise him by bringing the man who discovered him all those years ago.
Man, in red shirt, is now blind.
Incredible. pic.twitter.com/Sd8bYD7Adc
