Almost a year to the day of the horror injury he suffered against Netherlands in a pre-World Cup match, Ghana’s Jerry Akaminko returned to the bench for Eskisehirspor.
On 31 May 2014, the centre-back lined up for the Black Stars in a pre-tournament friendly, only to be stretchered off late on after landing awkwardly on his ankle after attempting an aerial challenge for the ball.
Ghana went on to lose the match 1-0.
The injury ultimately ruled the defender out of the World Cup, but while ESPN reported after the match that Akaminko would likely face three months on the sidelines, he ended up missing much more football. The injury ultimately took an entire year of his career, with the Black Star not making a single appearance during the 2014-15 season.
He finally returned to Eskisehirspor’s matchday squad for the Turkish side’s final Super Lig outing—a 3-1 home defeat to Roberto Carlos’s Akhisar Belediyespor on Friday evening.
The loss meant that the Star of Anatolia ended the campaign in eleventh place in the Turkish top flight, having amassed 39 points from their 34 matches. The position represents an improvement on their 12th-placed finish during the 2013-14 season.
For Akaminko, however, the contest represented a return to the squad following a potentially-demoralising absence from action.
The defender took to Twitter [@jville15] on Sunday to thank fans for their support, while not forgetting the tests of the previous 12 months.
Today marks exactly one year since that evening in Rotterdam. On 29.05.15 I made my long-awaited return by taking a place on the bench in our final Super Lig game.
It’s been a long road to recovery by thank God I’m now 100%. Special thanks to my family & friends not forgetting you the fans.
You’ve all been a source of strength. Can’t want for next season #JAKA is back!!
The defender’s return prompted an outpouring of support for the defender, with Ghana and Eskisehirspor fans alike sending messages of congratulations to the 27-year-old.
His absence meant that the former Heart of Lions man missed the entirety of Ghana’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, as well as the continental showpiece itself in Equatorial Guinea.
He faces a battle to regain his place in the national side following the emergence of Daniel Amartey who has impressed after being invited to the Black Stars fold for the first time under Avram Grant.
However, the is little doubt that, considering the struggles of John Boye—who was relegated from the Super Lig with Kayseri Erciyesspor—and Jonathan Mensah’s well-documented problems, the return of the talented centre-back is good news for Avram Grant and Ghana.
Including the ill-fated friendly against Netherlands, Akaminko started four consecutive matches for the national side in the heart of defence, and was a consistent presence alongside Rashid Sumaila and the aforementioned Boye.
