Put an Accent on the Fact that Hazza bin Zayed Established Success Parameters and Consolidated Excellence and Creativity Culture.. Abedi Pele: Hope Al Ain Wins the League Title and Back Strongly to Represent UAE in AFC Champions League

Al Ain Has the Infrastructure of International Clubs like Liverpool and Real Madrid

I kept this Secret for 22 years?! Being A Coach is an Annoying Profession

Al Ain Club “Facilities” Fascinated Me and Its Business Activities Stunned Me

I Still Remember When We Qualified to Semifinals of the AFC Champions League on the Expense of Saudi’s Hilal

I Did Not Lose to Balaci While Playing for Al Ain … I was the Winner by proofs and evidences
I Felt Sad When Al Ain Did Not Win Any Title Last Season

So Proud I Defended the Crest of Al Ain Club One Day

When I Joined Al Ain Club Coming from Munich I was Surprised by the Boss’ Fans Enthusiasm

Al Ain is a Big Club Supported by Millions …. The Boss Ambitions Do Not Soar Below the Skies and Never Affected by the Absence of Any Player

I Declined a Tempting Qatari Offer as I decided to Conclude my Career When I Left the Boss Squad

It is the Time to See an Asian or African National Team Holding the World Cup High
So Happy with the Principles Adopted by the FIFA … But?!

I Nominate Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane for the African Footballer of the Year Award for they Deserve Such A Credit

Put an Accent on the Fact that Hazza bin Zayed Established Success Parameters and Consolidated Excellence and Creativity Culture.
Abedi Pele: Hope Al Ain Wins the League Title and Back Strongly to Represent UAE in AFC Champions League
Al Ain Has the Infrastructure of International Clubs like Liverpool and Real Madrid
I kept this Secret for 22 years?! Being A Coach is an Annoying Profession
Al Ain Club “Facilities” Fascinated Me and Its Business Activities Stunned Me
I Still Remember When We Qualified to Semifinals of the AFC Champions League on the Expense of Saudi’s Hilal
I Did Not Lose to Balaci While Playing for Al Ain … I was the Winner by proofs and pieces of evidence
I Felt Sad When Al Ain Did Not Win Any Title Last Season
So Proud I Defended the Crest of Al Ain Club One Day
When I Joined Al Ain Club Coming from Munich, I was Surprised by the Boss’ Fans Enthusiasm
Al Ain is a Big Club Supported by Millions …. The Boss Ambitions Do Not Soar Below the Skies and Never Affected by the Absence of Any Player
I Declined a Tempting Qatari Offer as I decided to Conclude my Career When I Left the Boss Squad
It is the Time to See an Asian or African National Team Holding the World Cup High
So Happy with the Principles Adopted by the FIFA … But?!
I Nominate Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane for the African Footballer of the Year Award for they Deserve Such a Credit.

Last night members of the Board of Directors of Al Ain Football Club received Al Ain former player, Abedi Pele as part of the Club’s guiding principle of honoring the loyal former and legend players of the Al Ain Football Club who held the full responsibility to defend the team’s crest one day.

The legend player was honored during the break time of the Boss match against the Emirates FC as part of the PLC Pro Cup. It was a moment of embodying the principle of communication between the Al Ain Club’s various generations.

Abedi Pele’s visit program included receiving him elegantly by Abdullah Ali, Supervisor of Al Ain First Football Team, and his former teammate at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. In addition, Al Ain Club Media Office staff took the opportunity to interview the legend footballer tackling many issues and went deep in details and secrets of 22 years that the players kept for himself, and we had this long conversation with him.

Al Ain Is Different

Speaking about the close relationship that kept him with Al Ain Club and his intimate generation at the time, Abedi Pele said: “I had wonderful friends and teammates and associated with each other. The team consisted of young players, and the team leader was Mohammed Obaid “Hamdoun”. I was and am still in contact with certain players with whom I have a close relationship, and I do not want to enumerate the names not to forget one of them. Indeed, I was thrilled to meet the current team supervisor, Abdullah Ali, and his warm welcome to me at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. I still remember that he was a young player at the time, and his supervision of the team’s affairs is evidence of the commitment of Al Ain Club to the vision of its leadership. My presence today, yesterday, and every moment here is a confirmation of Al Ain Club’s interest in everyone who defended its badge. That is why we always repeat, as players of various successive generations, shared the same goal: defending the Club’s crest, the saying “The Boss is Different”.

He added: “When I come to Al Ain Club, I do not feel estranged, which I confirmed to Abdullah Ali during our tour of this superb architectural masterpiece, Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, which is considered one of the most attractive football stadiums in the world.”

He stated that he and Abdullah talked about memories and accomplishments achieved together and cherished moments and other achievements I was following up from distances away.

Abedi focused on the memories of winning the title of the AFC Champions League. He mentioned to me that I was motivating them to fight hard to beat the AFC Champions League title when they were young, and “here lies the importance of those beautiful situations and memories that I recalled with the team supervisor.”

When someone you know receives you and knows you well, you would feel it is excellent, and when you visit the Club and find the administrative staff are the Club’s former players, this is a positive and great indicator.

The Asian Title 2003

Tell us about your memories with Al Ain Club, starting with the negotiations stage and your long journey and career in the European football fields.

My memories with Al Ain are decent and outstanding. However, I do not forget specifically when we played in the AFC Champions League at Al Ain Stadium, for the peculiarity of that competition, which is a beautiful event for the management, players, and fans of this lofty sports club.

At that time, we qualified for the quarter-finals in the Asian competition, and Al Ain fans showed great enthusiasm at those moments and massive power in cheering and encouraging the squad because they love the Club.

I will not forget our match against Saudi Arabia Al Hilal and other strong teams from Iran and other Asian clubs. It seemed like an achievement at that time, as the scene was terrific, and the whole city was happy with what was achieved and came out to the streets to celebrate the victories. Indeed, the vision of the Club’s senior management was crystal-clear, and the goal was superior, that is, to prepare for the crowning of Al Ain with the AFC Champions League title. It was a dream for some, but the management of Al Ain Club developed plans and worked hard to prepare everyone to achieve this goal. Al Ain did it and embraced the continental glory two seasons after I left the Club. I followed up the celebrations of crowning the “Boss” with the continental title from Ghana in 2003, i.e., two or three years after I left the team. I was proud of what my young colleagues had achieved at the time. Yes, they ascended the throne of the Asian continent. If you want to open the dossier of memories in Al Ain, it is a lot with the management, the technical staff, my fellow players, and the fans of Al Ain Club.

From Munich to Al Ain City

We would keep talking about memories! What were you thinking about during your flight from Munich, Germany, to Al Ain, UAE?

It is not a secret to tell you that journey, although some would see it as a bit strange, during which I felt so happy because I accepted the challenge on a personal level and my sincere feeling at the time assured me that my experience with the Al Ain was reasonable and natural. However, I was a true believer that I was going to a different environment than the one I was used to in the European football fields and other traditions and cultures. However, I was pleased with my new place and my great desire to win the challenge.

Indeed, I did not feel the difference because I am a Muslim, and the customs and traditions in any Islamic country are the same. But, for example, we as Muslim players face particular challenges in not fulfilling all our religious obligations on time, and fasting is also one significant challenge.

Hazaa’s Vision

How did you find the atmosphere in Al Ain Club since you joined the team at the level of performance and relationships with your new colleagues?

What distinguishes Al Ain is its clear vision laid out by His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, First Vice President of the Club, First Vice President of the Al Ain Honorary Council, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club.

The vision, which is based on the principle of dealing with the spirit of the family, embodies the idea of transformation for the better to achieve remarkable goals so that Al Ain is always at the forefront as one of the best clubs in the world. This is achieved by working hard to keep pace with development indicators and exerting more efforts to succeed and adhere to the vision. This led Al Ain Club to this beautiful position and made it easy for the Club to achieve its ambitions and the fans’ aspirations.

On a personal level, I am still keen to watch and follow up Al Ain matches. Therefore, sometimes I come to the stadium to watch some games in direct coordination with the Club management.

I consider Al Ain one of the best clubs I played for in terms of communication, promoting relationships with the old players, and consolidating the concept of various generations of communication. In addition, we all always get pleasant surprises from the club management.

I Was Not Surprised

Pele added: I will not disclose a secret if I tell you that I was not surprised that Al Ain Club reached the FIFA Club World Cup finals, nor was the team crowned the Asian Champions League two or three years after I left the Club. I was sure that Al Ain will always be a great club and a strong team for everyone who wears the Al Ain badge is required to arm themselves with the culture of winning, and the current Al Ain players have a winning mentality and enjoy the culture of clinching titles and cups.

 

Strength and Enthusiasm

Abedi went on to say that the atmosphere in the Club was beautiful and reminded me of the situation with my former team, Marseille, France, as well as Torino in Italy and Munich in Germany. I had never thought there would be enthusiastic fans when I arrived to join the team. Instead, I found an exciting work atmosphere pushing us to work and play hard. I experienced pleasant moments and ket excellent relationships with everyone.

The Al Ain management members were constantly briefing us about the Club’s vision, so I was not surprised at the level that Al Ain has reached. On the contrary, I am very proud that I was part of the generations who worked to achieve the Club’s goals.

Abedi and Ilie Balaci

I will start my question where you ended up by talking about good relationships. But, honestly, how would you describe your relationship with Balaci, Al Ain Team, former Romanian head coach?

Indeed, my relationship was good with everyone, as I mentioned to you, including the Romanian coach Balaci. This is the first time I would talk about this relationship after 22 years.

Yes, it is a fact. Once certain conditions push you to select between a star player or a head coach, wisdom should prevail by conceding one to the other. The Al Ain administration adopted the principle of team interest so that the coach could control matters to achieve its goals and the aspirations of its fans. Abedi Pele is one player, but the Al Ain team is supported by 3 or 4 million worldwide, and we could not think except the team’s interest. I have had enough patience and intelligence to think about it, and 22 years later, I think the answer is I was the Winner, not Balaci.

 

Al Wahda and Al Wasl

Against which team were you playing your most vital matches in that period and felt that it was “El Classico” matches?

Our most decisive matches at that time were against Al Wasl and Al Wahda teams. I remember that I played against Al Wasl in Al Ain Stadium, and we won the guests by 2-1, and I scored the first goal.

Those moments are still present on social media, and during my visit to the Club and during the past two days, in particular, I met a fan, and he showed me the goal I scored against Al Wasl on his mobile phone. It gave me a feeling of happiness because I felt that what I did here was still in the fans’ minds after the elapse of 22 years.

A Secret I Kept for 22 Years

After you left the Al Ain Club, you announced your retirement. What did you do after that, and what projects do you have?

The matter here is related to one of my secrets that I do not want to talk about. However, when I am at Al Ain Club, I will never keep a secret.
My decision was clear that if I left Al Ain, I would not play football again. When I was packing my bags traveling back to my homeland, I received a Qatari delegation offering to play for the Qatari league, but I declined the offer. This is why I flew back to Ghana, and immediately after that, I signed a contract with the Republic of South Africa to be one of the ambassadors in charge of supporting the country’s profile for hosting the World Cup. My contract extended for ten years during “2000- 2011,” and I participated in the organization of that championship.

Annoying Profession

We expected you to be a coach, join the media, or be an analyst in famous sports channels?

I do not want to be a head coach for a football team, for I am convinced that coaching is a troublesome profession. I consider it a direct cause of turning my hair to white compared to the pressures over the coach to win titles.

I have always preferred to work as part of a football team system to develop the skills of young players, juniors, and even young people through providing them with consultations and advice and giving them the full opportunity to achieve their legitimate aspirations in football. I always focus on those who do not have the chance to play football and enjoy playing it because I love doing this kind of work to help people.

French and German

A project you still dream of implementing?

Indeed, I have my project! I am currently managing the affairs of my football academy, which I established after my retirement. Also, I have other businesses not related to the football game. I work hard to turn these businesses to be successful fashionable ones. As my academy has been introducing top players, especially in the German and French leagues and, of course, other leagues, and I’m looking forward to adding more activities to my track record.

On Alert and All is Set

What were the main challenges you faced with Al Ain Club at the time?

They were not challenges in the known sense as upon my arrival here, I found young players armed with desire and ambition and have a fighting spirit and love of the badge. I remember when we went to Iran to play our match in the AFC Champions League. We were surprised to see large crowds of fans in the stands. I told my colleagues to take a good look at the spectacle of the stands, which were full of spectators, before I asked them if they had experienced such as atmosphere before. They all replied, “No!”. The majority of the players were promoted to the first team recently. I told them that at that time, it was the time to face such a challenge. They all responded that they were ready to go and all set to learn and improve their performance.

They said we were ready, which confirms that everyone was prepared to learn and improve their performance.

 

Like a Miracle

How do you see the Al Ain City?

Al Ain is a historical and typical city represented by one of the largest clubs in the Asian continent. I always describe it as wonderful and full of archaeological sites, historical forts, recreational places, and charming nature. If you dig deep into the history of this city, you will be sure that the quantum leap witnessed by this city throughout its history is like a miracle.

While I was on my way from the hotel to Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, I saw beautiful landmarks, modern residential complexes, banks, hotels, commercial centers, health services centers all in one place. It is available even here in the vicinity of Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. Therefore, I decided to invite some people from my country, Ghana, to benefit from the great work that this wonderful city has achieved.

Big Businesses

Abedi Pele added, “I am really amazed and have feelings of surprise for the development I saw here. However, I am so happy at the same time because I am seeing Al Ain Club, which some thought is dedicated only to playing football, has turned into a great business institution and what I saw are outstanding achievements and excellent work.

I came to Hazza bin Zayed Stadium to see one of the world-class football stadiums. In addition, I was briefed about its remarkable design story. It is magnificent and makes me happy, and I am proud that I belong to Al Ain Club, which establishes the concept of a comprehensive club.

Asia and Africa

When will we see an African or Asian team win the World Cup?

That day will come and will see one of the Asian or African countries wins the World Cup. However, I do not know when? If you visit Africa, you will find people there working hard, and you will see significant changes and things that have become different from what they were in the past 20 or 30 years ago.

If you look at the Asian continent and the Gulf region, in particular, you will find that things have become different, and the situation that we see in Europe has become available in the countries of this region in terms of the ability to organize and provide sponsorship offers and football stadiums. I do believe that it will not take much time for that to happen. You will see an Asian or African country winning the World Cup.

We Will Win the Title

Pele added: We must have faith that if we can organize the World Cup successfully, we will win the title.

Yesterday, I witnessed the training session, and I am confident that everything that international clubs such as Liverpool and Real Madrid have is available here at Al Ain Club. We must bring the specialized experts to inform us how to do things properly and how we can do that and win the title. I am sure we will win one day. I cannot say that it will be in 5 or 10 years, but we are not far from achieving that, winning the title.

Be Confident

He added: We have to have a sufficient level of confidence and belief in what we are doing and what our leaders are doing. Just for you to have the critical success factors, this championship will be held here one day. I hope I will have the opportunity to be present and watch the matches here.

Africa had organized this championship successfully, and this region will organize the next edition in a year or less. We are very close to that and win the title, but gradually and with organized work. Therefore, I am very hopeful that we will win the World Cup soon.

Confederation of African Football (CAF)

I mentioned earlier that everything is changing in Africa. There were certain significant controversies, but the situation is back to normal now.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association “FIFA” supports the efforts of the CAF and pushes it forward in the right way. I see many good changes taking place on the ground, and I believe the CAF is improving, and things are going well.

I wish the African clubs come here and play in the Arab Gulf region in their stadiums and witness the beautiful methods of matches organization and generous hospitality. The main aim is to play football and work hard to achieve development and promote the capabilities to host the world in one country. This is what we are looking forward to attaining soon.

Fédération Internationale de Football Association “FIFA”

As for FIFA, I believe it is required to promote a policy of change. Yes, the president of the federation “Joseph Blatter” has been replaced, but FIFA has not changed, and certain things remain the same. We find the same concepts and way of working implemented in supporting all sports federations that sponsor their clubs, setting policies, and ensuring that other federations comply with their terms.

He added: “I believe FIFA is at its best during the times of the World Cup. Of course, FIFA works like a machine, but I believe that FIFA is in good shape and very happy with certain decisions it has recently made.

We are all footballers, and the members of the FIFA represent football game and understand the problems that each country suffers. They also understand the difficulties that each continent suffers and the issues facing all sports clubs. Therefore, they are all set to handle and overcome any challenge.

Pele added: In general, I am delighted with the performance of FIFA, the activities it supervises at the global level, and the projects it implements in other countries. It is not only about football, but helping people to play football and setting specific measures to help others to play football. For me, I am pleased with the concepts adopted by FIFA and implemented at the global level.

 

On the Sidelines

• The UAE League will be exciting for the current season, and I felt sad that Al Ain did not win any titles last season.
• I hope that Al Ain will win the league title this season and represent UAE in the AFC Champions League.
• My choice is logical to nominate Egypt’s Mohammed Salah and Senegal’s Sadio Mane for the African Footballer of the Year Award as both deserve the title. Results will be revealed at the beginning of next year. However, I insist that both deserve the award and will see soon who the boss is.

Childhood

Abedi Pele did not know that he would become a famous player in his childhood, especially after he made a great effort and received massive support from his father. He allowed me to play football before sending Pele to school to enhance his confidence in himself. When Pele had the opportunity to become a professional football, he did not hesitate to invest in it in the right way and worked hard and diligently until he became one of the most prominent football players in the world. As a result, he received great appreciation and acceptance from everyone.

 

Eternal Love

Pele had an eternal love for the largest clubs in the Asian continent, a magician and artist… he imposed his name… as one of the best African football ambassadors.

He scattered creativity… in the three continents, Europe… Africa… and Asia.

He played 31 matches with Al Ain. He scored 28 goals and won the League and Cup championships with the Boss respectively in the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 seasons before announcing his retirement.

He won several individual awards during his career, most notably the African Footballer of the Year Award for three years (1991, 1992, and 1993). He also entered the list of 10 nominees for the FIFA World Player of the Year Award twice (1991, 1992). In 2011, he won the Legends Golden Football Award.