Over the years, talents have emerged from our Premier Football League, and the 2009-2010 Glo Premier League season has been no exception. What is unique about this particular season is that the perennial dominant clubs like Asante Kotoko and defending champions Hearts of Oak have not had it their own way, with surprise packages like newly promoted Aduana Stars and Kessben FC ensuring that this is one of the most competitive league tourneys in years. I have been fortunate enough to travel to different league centres and I constantly get taken aback by the level of skill and talent shown by some of the players. In fact, the days of both Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko monopolizing talent in this country is well and truly gone. Already, Bechem Chelsea midfielder Lee Addy has made a strong case for the inclusion of local players into the senior national football team, the Black Stars with composed performances during the just ended African Nations Cup tourney in Angola.
This piece is an attempt as a journalist and commentator to highlight some of the stand-out performers in the Glo Premier League and perhaps generate discussion by naming a top eleven, top twenty three and top fifty players in the League. It must be noted however that the players selected will be players who have been consistent over the league season so far.
TOP ELEVEN SO FAR (4-3-3)
1. Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars; Goalkeeper): The young goalkeeper has had a break-out season with the newly promoted outfit, and he is one of the major reasons why Aduana Stars has the best defence in the Glo Premier League. He is quite agile and instills a lot of confidence in his back four.
2. Godfred Saka (Aduana Stars; Right Back): Another reason for Aduana Stars’ strong showing in the league, Saka is strong in the tackle, good going forward and has the added advantage of being something of a penalty expert.
3. Latif Mohammed (Great Olympics; Left Back): Latif has developed a bit of a reputation as a goal scoring lateral defender, scoring six goals so far this season. He is also defensively strong and very good going forward and has been a shining light for Olympics this season.
4. Karim Alhassan (Hearts of Oak; Centre Back): Solid as a rock and an improving reader of the game, the ‘boulder’ has built on an impressive first season in the top flight and his appointment as Hearts of Oak skipper has resulted in inspirational performances from him. Overall, a good season so far
5. Johnson Adomah (Aduana Stars; Centre Back): A very solid start to his Premier league career, Adomah is an excellent tackler and good reader of the game. Combines ruggedness with good positioning, and can also initiate attacks from deep.
6. Malik Akowuah (Great Olympics; Central defensive midfielder): The midfielder has no doubt been Great Olympics’ best player so far this season. Strong in the tackle and fiercely competitive on the ball, Akowuah reminds many soccer pundits of an emerging Stanley Aboraa at Asante Kotoko almost twenty years ago. He also has the eye for very good passes
7. Esme Mends (Hearts of Oak; Left central midfield): One of the major reasons why Hearts of Oak won the title last season, Mends has made a successful return from injury and is the main orchestrator in the Phobian midfield. He has the ability to dictate the play and has a very good passing range. So far, one of the stand-out stars of the season.
8. Daniel Nii Adjei (Asante Kotoko; Right central midfielder): He has been a model of consistency for the Porcupine Warriors over the last three seasons, and it is indeed incredible that Asante Kotoko acquired him for a mere 2000 Ghana Cedis from Norchip. Adjei has been a stand-out performer for draw specialists Kotoko, weighing in with vital goals where necessary. His ball-winning skills and ability to support the attack improves match after match.
9. Joseph Ato Bissah (Hasaacas; Right Attack): Sekondi Hasaacas might be in relegation trouble, but Ato Bissah has carried on from last season, where he was voted Most Valuable Player for superlative displays that kept his club in the division. He has dribbling skills, picks wonderful passes and has an eye for spectacular goals. He would be hoping to captain Hasaacas to safety from relegation.
10. Addoquaye Addo (Ashanti Gold; Left Attack): The former Hearts of Oak midfielder has added a lot to his game since joining the Miners. Two footed and very skilful, Addo has been an ever-present in the Ashanti Gold set up and his assists are part of the reason that the Obuasi-based club are challenging for the title. If he can add goals to his game, he will be a potential full international in years to come.
11. Seidu Bansi (New Edubiase United; Lead Striker): He is probably the reason why the newly promoted club will survive relegation because not only does he have an eye for goal, but he also holds up the ball superbly, allowing the likes of Eric Fordjour and the Nuhu twins to also get cracks at goal. A burly striker who is the current leading striker in the Glo Premier League with 10 goals, with time he could be the next Saarah Mensah of this current generation.
My pick for the next twelve players to complete a consistent top 23 squad is also as follows.
12. Gabriel Opoku Ware (Aduana Stars; central defender): The veteran is enjoying an Indian summer in the Glo Premier League with Aduana Stars, and is rolling back the years with solid performances reminiscent of his days at Asante Kotoko a decade ago. Together with Adomah, Opoku Ware had indeed formed one of the league’s most formidable defences.
13. Daniel Asamoah (Ashanti Gold; central defender): The long serving Ashanti Gold captain has developed into a fine central defender, a good reader of the game and an organizer of Ashanti Gold’s defence. Interestingly enough, he began his career as an attacking left back.
14. Owusu Sefa (Ashanti Gold; Left back): He has also been very consistent in the Ashanti Gold and reminds many soccer fans of former Goldfields and national stars, Yaw Owusu and Sammy Adjei. He is good in the tackle and is also quick to lend support to the attack.
15. Nana Yaw Afriyie (Ashanti Gold; Right back): He offers a lot going forward to support the attack but also tracks back on time to help the defence. This season has clearly been a break-out season for the defender.
16. Edmund Owusu Ansah (Heart of Lions; midfielder): He remains the epitome of consistency for Heart of Lions, a composed and experienced head in midfield and clearly, a typical coach’s player.
17. Edwin Gyimah (Hasaacas, defensive midfield): In a difficult season for Sekondi Hasaacas, Gyimah has perhaps been a shining light alongside Joseph Ato Bissah. He is a good shield for the back four, and also has a good passing range. He is also useful for set pieces, from which he gets the odd goal.
18. Abdul Bashiru (Eleven Wise; Left Attack): With the exit of Winfred Dormon, Bashiru has become the star of the Eleven Wise squad, providing crucial goals and assists from the left. Not only can he provide quality crosses, he possesses a powerful shot which troubles the opposition and could be lethal.
19. Mahatma Otoo (Hearts of Oak; Striker): He reminds many Hearts fans of former three-time goal king Ishmael Addo, but also has amazing work rate for a striker, as well as an eye for goal. He likes to attack from deep and so it is virtually impossible to pick him up. He has also displayed selflessness in setting up goals for the likes of Eric Gawu and Samuel Affum.
20. Bismark Idan (Kessben FC, Striker): He is one of the major reasons why Kessben are challenging for the league diadem this season. Idan is skilled in possession, likes to attack down the channels and can be quite lethal on his day.
21. Jordan Opoku (Asante Kotoko): He has struggled to replicate his performances for Kotoko last season this time around, but is gradually recapturing his form as one of Ghana’s best midfield creators.
22. Ben Mensah (Great Olympics; goalkeeper): After replacing Muntari Tagoe as the number one goalie for Olympics, Mensah has put in a shift of consistent performances, even though he hasn’t always been helped by his defence. In a season where goalkeeping has not been exceptional, the Olympics goalkeeper has been one of the better ones.
23. Thomas Tuah Asare (Berekum Arsenals; goalkeeper): He has been consistent for the Berekum club over the past four seasons or so. He has sometimes been overworked when left exposed by his defenders but has shown some good reflexes at times and is a reliable keeper.
Other players whose performances can be noted are goalkeepers Bright Akoto (Wa All Stars), Isaac Amoako (Asante Kotoko), John Adjetey (Real Tamale United) and Stephen Ahorlu (Heart of Lions); defenders John Kufuor (Heart of Lions), Awudu Nafiu, Kwadwo Boateng (King Faisal), Tetteh Nortey (Hearts of Oak), Bright Addae (Wa All Stars), Akwasi Bobie Ansah (Kessben), Gideon Baah (Asante Kotoko), Fatau Junior (Real Tamale United), Emmanuel Eyison (Real Tamale United), Daniel Addo (King Faisal), Stephen Aidoo (Eleven Wise); midfielders Joe Agyemang (Hasaacas), Atta Sumaila, Iddrissu Imoro (Real Tamale United), Edmund Owusu Peprah, Yuga Zufa (Kessben FC), Thomas Avorgbedor(King Faisal), Alhassan Nuhu (New Edubiase United), Yaw Alexander (Bechem Chelsea), Bilal Mohammed (Great Olympics); strikers Francis Aggrey (Berekum Arsenals), Abdul Aziz Yusif (Real Tamale United) and Prince Arkoh (King Faisal).
So there you have it; the top fifty performers in the Glo Premier league in my humble opinion. Interestingly enough, there might be more break-out stars by the time the season draws to a close, but surely the list of players above should provoke a healthy debate.
