Ghana soccer history and particularly Asante Kotoko and FC Twente would be
incomplete without mentioning Prince Opoku Polley.
Born On May 4 1969, injury forced the former Black Stars midfielder/ forward to
quit soccer, the profession that brought him fame prematurely in ’99, after a stint
with Dutch side FC Aarau.
Polley revealed to “Where are they?” interviewer Charles Osei Asibey that but for
the injury he sustained after the South African 2010 Nations Cup, he would have
stayed a little longer on the pitch.
Despite contributing his quota to the leather game, he would have wished that he
was still active and doing what he knows best; hitting the back of the net.
Responding to the goal famine challenge confronting the Stars he said that: “In our
time, Abedi Pele, Yeboah and myself were scoring , if I don’t, they will do it. But
now, Asamoah Gyan is the lone ranger.”
He made 54 appearances for Holland-based FC Twente and finished as the top scorer
with 11 goals in the ‘93/’94 season and he was a member of the fearsome ’92 Black
Stars squad that finished as loding finalist without their talismanic skipper Abedi
in the famous 11-10 penalty shootout against Cote d’Ivoire.
To the “Prince of goals”, as was affectionately referred to due to predatory
instincts, he attached a lot of importance to the Stars’ game anytime he was invited
hence, his superlative performance in the national shirt.
The former Black Stars midfield/forward ace came into the lime light when he
featured for Kotoko against Zamalek in Kumasi. “I was then up-and-coming but I
didn’t disgrace myself,” He added.
He is currently in the country as a business man after a long stay in Europe, and
despite advances by former playing mate and now the coach of Kotoko Ebo Mends to
lend him a hand in the technical area, he noted that he wants to concentrate on his
business for now.
He however pointed out that he has given Mends the assurance that he would not
hesitate to support his former club when the need arises.
His business ambitions notwithstanding, he promised to return to the leather game in
future. He played alongside charges as Sarfo Gyanfi, goalkeeper Mohammed Odoom,
Isaac “Naana” Eshun , Kwaku Kyere, Kwaku Ofori, Stanley Aborah, the late Thomas
“Gambo” Hammond(First in the Air), George Arthur, Ahmed Rockson, John Bannerman, Sam
Ayipey, Kofi Abbrey etc.
Source : Charles Osei Asibey
Charles Osei Asibey Br. (SBJ)
