Ghana’s most capped player, André Dede Ayew, says winning the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup felt like “bringing the whole world to Ghana,” and expressed hope that the country will soon capture another global football title.
Speaking at the official launch of the 2025 U-13 MILO Champions League in Accra last Friday, Ayew reflected on the proudest moment of his career, noting that his confidence and inspiration stem from Ghana’s historic triumph in Egypt—a victory he still regards as the highlight of his football journey.
“It’s very easy. We brought the world to Ghana. Yeah, that’s it — we brought the whole world to Ghana, and we hope that it’s going to happen again pretty soon, Insha Allah,” he said when asked about his fondest career memory.
In October 2009, Ghana defeated Brazil 4–3 on penalties, after a goalless draw in regulation time, to become the first African nation to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Ayew, who was unveiled as an ambassador for the 2025 MILO U-13 Champions League alongside legend Stephen Appiah last friday, also shared his expectations for the young participants.
He emphasized that his greatest hope is for the children to leave the tournament with lasting, positive memories.
“Most importantly, they go home with good memories — good memories to remember that in 2025 they played in the MILO Games and this is what went down. I think they will never forget it, and they will tell their younger brothers and the next generation. So I’m waiting to see a lot of skills,” he said.
Youth development
He described the tournament as a vital platform for shaping dreams, building confidence, and nurturing young football talent across Ghana.
He praised Nestlé Ghana and the Ghana Education Service for their commitment to youth development and lauded Stephen Appiah, his fellow ambassador, as a mentor and inspiration.
"I am truly humbled to join you today as the brand Icon for the 2025 edition of the MILO Under 13 Champions League," he said.
"This tournament is more than a competition; it is a platform that has shaped dreams, discovered stars and built confidence in many young talents across Ghana. For that, I want to commend Nestlé Ghana and the Ghana Education Service for their unwavering commitment to nurturing youth development through sports," he added.
Addressing the young players, Ayew encouraged them to embrace discipline, hard work, respect, teamwork and self-belief—values that shaped his own football journey.
He also urged them to play with confidence, enjoy the experience, learn from challenges and pursue their dreams without limitation.
2025 Milo Champs League
The prestigious Milo U-13 Champions League is back after a six-year hiatus, with more than 100,000 schoolchildren across all 16 regions set to compete for regional and national honours.
Organised by Nestlé Ghana Ltd. in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service and endorsed by the Ghana Football Association, the tournament will feature players aged 9 to 13 representing their regions in a bid to showcase their talent and teamwork.
The championship will be held in three phases — District, Zonal and the National Finals. Top 16 schools from the Zonal Playoffs will compete in the National Finals, with over 20,000 children expected to participate.
The national stage is scheduled for Paa Joe Park at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, from Tuesday, December 2 to Sunday, December 7, 2025.
The official launch, held at the Nestlé Ghana Headquarters in Accra last Friday, was filled with nostalgia as guests enjoyed documentary highlights chronicling the Milo Champions League journey from 2016 to 2019, when the competition last took place.
Accompanied by spirited jama sessions, the event featured speeches, solidarity messages, the unveiling of the new competition logo, and the presentation of the trophy to be contested, which was donated by Ghanaian football legend, Abedi Ayew Pele from his illustrious collection.
Adding to the atmosphere, organisers created a legacy wall showcasing photo galleries from past tournaments and a trophy tunnel designed for photo opportunities and media interviews.
In attendance were the General Manager of Nestlé Ghana, Salome Azevedo; Category Manager, Myron Otoo; Director of Pre-Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education, Nana Baffuor Awuah; Deputy Director-General, Ghana Education Service, Prof. Smile Gavua Dzisi;
Also present were Chief Director of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Wilhelmina Asamoah; Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Manager for Nestlé Ghana, Deborah Kwabla; President of Ghana Athletics, Bawa Fuseini; Ministry of Sports PRO, Bagbara Tanko and his Deputy, Samuel Kussi Tetteh.
