Andre Ayew has struck a calm and confident tone as he begins a new chapter in Dutch football with NAC Breda, openly admitting that his journey back to peak sharpness is still in progress, but firmly believing the best is yet to come.
The Ghanaian forward, who recently joined the Eredivisie side after a spell without a club, made his first appearance in NAC colours last weekend. While the debut marked an important milestone, Ayew knows it was only the first step in what he sees as a steady climb back to full competitive rhythm.
Despite keeping himself in good physical shape during his time away from match action, the 34-year-old understands that true fitness is forged under the intensity of real games, the sprints, the duels, the split-second decisions that training alone cannot fully reproduce.
“I know I’m not 100 percent fit, but we’re getting there,” Ayew said to the club. “We’re working hard with the physical team. I stayed in shape, but nothing can replace matches and official games. You just have to climb the steps, and very soon I’ll be at my top level.”
Those words reflect the mindset Ayew has brought into the NAC dressing room: patient, disciplined and focused on the bigger picture. Rather than rushing the process, he is allowing his body and sharpness to build naturally through minutes on the pitch, confident that consistency will unlock his true influence.
Andre Ayew begins NAC Breda chapter with Eredivisie debut in Groningen
For NAC Breda, that influence could be decisive. The club find themselves in a tense battle near the foot of the Eredivisie, sitting 16th with 14 points from 18 matches. Survival is far from guaranteed, and Ayew’s arrival is viewed as a major boost, not only for his goals and creativity, but for the authority and calm he brings to a young squad navigating pressure.
Beyond his individual form, Ayew is also determined to lead by example, helping set standards in training, in the dressing room and during games, as NAC push to climb away from danger in the second half of the campaign.
All eyes now turn to the upcoming home encounter with NEC Nijmegen, where Ayew will be eager to build on his first outing and take another step closer to full match sharpness. With time, fitness and confidence aligning, NAC Breda are hoping that the experienced Ghanaian will soon begin to show the full weight of his quality, just when they need it most.
