Former Ghana playmaker Abedi Pele Ayew believes he could have won the African Footballer of the Year award on more than three occasions had he not taken a four-year self-imposed sabbatical from international duty.
The 1982 Africa Cup of Nations winner excused himself from playing for the Black Stars from 1986 to 1990, instead deciding to focus on club football with French sides Mulhouse and Olympique Marseille.
On his return, he would promptly win the continental honour on three straight years from 1991 to 1993.
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"I wanted it [African Footballer of the Year award] so badly, even in the '80s," Abedi told GTV Sports Plus.