The song is a staple of the Ajax fan experience
Ever since Bob Marley’s ‘Three Little Birds’ was played at half-time of a pre-season friendly between Cardiff and Ajax, the song has become synonymous with the Dutch club. After their fans sang along to the song in Wales, they brought it home with them and now sing it on every match day.
At last night’s Champions League tie against AEK Athens, the song held extra significance as Bob Marley’s son, Ky-Mani Marley, came out to perform the song to a packed Johan Cruijff Arena.
It made for a special moment, as the hit reggae song was belted out by more than 50,000 Dutchmen.
Ky-Mani Marley, son of the great Bob Marley singing Three Little Birds at halftime of the Ajax v AEK Athens match pic.twitter.com/YRqCqg7RDx
— Simon Colosimo (@Shime04) September 19, 2018
Bob Marley’s son @maestromarley singing his father’s famous “Three Little Birds” with @afcajax supporters in Amsterdam 🇯🇲🇳🇱
🎥 @tassie52 @germain__trim pic.twitter.com/f6GS9g3h2w— 433 (@433) September 20, 2018
If Ajax were hoping this would inspire the players, it seemed to work. Ajax went on to win the game 3-0, with two goals coming from Argentina left-back Nicolas Tagliafico and the other from Donny van de Beek. They should consider booking Ky-Mani Marley more often.
Don't worry about a thing,
Cause Ky-Mani Marley is here! 🇯🇲#ajaemm pic.twitter.com/peaJvYqha3— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) August 25, 2018
Ajax currently sit 2nd in the Eredivisie, two points behind PSV Eindhoven. Those two points dropped came on the opening day of the season, against Heracles. Since then, they have won four league games on the bounce, scoring ten goals and conceding none.
Their young side, who play with a bold, expansive style, have attracted a lot praise from around the globe for their entertaining football, which is no surprise when you consider they’ve got the likes of Frenkie de Jong in midfield.