Exclusive: Andre Ayew Committed to NAC Breda’s Survival Battle in Eredivisie

NAC Breda's winter signing, Andre Ayew, could be the key addition as they fight to avoid relegation.  

The 2011 BBC African Footballer of the Year brings European experience to the Rat Verlegh Stadion and could help turn the Yellow Army's season around as they've collected their first away points in Heracles Almelo. Ayew's  immediate task is to help salvage the season and secure Eredivisie status. 
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‎His move raised eyebrows, but the 36-year-old is settling in well at the Eredivisie side and could get more game time under Belgian head coach Carl Hoefkens. Having dropped 50 points from 69 in 23 games, NAC is in a tough spot, but the former Swansea City talisman's experience, work ethic, and mentality could be the turning point in inspiring the club's relatively young squad.
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‎The Black Stars captain's decision to snub juicy offers from the Middle East and other  top-tier clubs for NAC has reignited public debate back in his native country about whether the nation's most capped men's player should be in Otto Addo's final World Cup squad for the North America tournament later this year, if he meets the terms and conditions laid. 

For Ayew,  it's too early to comment about his chances of making  the 2026 World Cup, but  rather  returning to top fitness, helping his teammates, and NAC  are his current obsessions. 

FIRST 2026 AWAY POINTS COULD PROVE CRUCIAL

‎The away win over Heracles Almelo could be the lifeline NAC needs to escape the demotion fears staring the fans in Breda in the face. It was needed to breathe some fresh inspiration into the squad, as it offers some glimmer of hope.
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‎"I think we can build on this victory, one game at a time. The most important thing is staying in the top division. I'll give it my all until the very end," he told SportsBoom.com from the Netherlands.
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‎For The Yellow Army, a winless streak of eleven (11) matches, totalling nine hundred and ninety (990) minutes without a taste of victory, could be some agonising moments. But at last, that poor run has come to an end. Now, the biggest confrontation for Hoefkens is fixing the goal-scoring woes head-on, as a 24:36 goals ratio after matchday 23  realistically wouldn't suffice for an Eredivisie status at the end of the season.

NAC'S DREAM: A FIT AND CONSISTENT AYEW

‎Luckily for NAC Breda, although Andre Ayew is yet to score for the club across all competitions, the Ghanaian has shown glimpses of what he brings on board as a well-established, travelled player. 

Though he has only played 208 minutes in six games in North Brabant, details of his rating per match under 35 minutes point to his efficiency; and perhaps against all odds, NAC needs to quickly find a suitable formula for their star man, with caution being the watchword, owing to the fact that the veteran isn't growing any younger. 

While Hoefkens has the arduous task of managing the forward, his recent figures at Le Havre and Al Sadd combined (31 goals) show he's a potent goal-poacher and could prove to be the missing piece for The Rats as they scale the relegation hurdle.

IT'S A TOUGH SITUATION, BUT WE'RE POSITIVE 

‎Ayew, who revealed two months ago that he loves challenges, both personally and as part of a team, hasn't departed from that view. For him, it's only a challenge they're capable of overcoming if they stay united as a team.
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‎"I think we all agree, we're in a difficult situation, but it's not about talking much; it's about giving everything for the club on the field. I'm excited  everyone is focused, which can really help us mentally. Once we stay united as a team, we can skip the  hurdle," he said.
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‎Since the 2025/26 Eredivisie season hasn't folded yet, there's huge confidence brewing in Breda about the team turning around one of its abysmal campaigns.