Former Ghana international Matthew Amoah has offered fresh insight into André Ayew’s first days at NAC Breda, revealing the stark contrast the experienced forward faced after making his return to European football in the middle of winter.
Ayew, who had spent several months in Ghana before sealing his move to the Netherlands, was immediately confronted with freezing conditions that were worlds apart from the tropical climate he had left behind. Amoah, now a striker’s coach at NAC Breda, described the transition as a humorous but challenging adjustment for the former Black Stars captain.
“He walked into a completely different environment,” Amoah explained. “He had been in Ghana for about five or six months where it’s always 30 to 32 degrees. Coming here in the middle of winter was tough for him, but despite that, he still delivered on his debut.”
The timing of Ayew’s arrival coincided with peak winter conditions in Europe, including snowfall—something the 34-year-old had not experienced for months. Amoah recalled a light-hearted exchange with the forward as he tried to come to terms with the cold.
“I asked him how he was feeling, and he just laughed and said, ‘Senior, it’s super cold here. I came straight into the snow,’” Amoah recounted.
Despite the unfamiliar conditions, Ayew’s experience quickly shone through. The seasoned attacker adapted swiftly, putting in an impressive debut performance that underlined his professionalism and mental toughness.
NAC Breda have been encouraged by Ayew’s rapid adjustment, with the club viewing his leadership, work ethic, and big-game mentality as key assets for the remainder of the season. His early impact has reinforced confidence that, even in challenging circumstances, the Ghanaian forward remains capable of delivering at the highest level.
