Since Ghana’s maiden participation at the World Cup during the 2006 edition of the competition which was staged in Germany two years ago, many Ghanaian players participating in their respective leagues appears to be gaining somewhat enough publicity from various sporting tabloids than before. Thanks to the gallant performance of the Stars that saw them crush countries like Czech Republic, U.S.A and rubbed shoulders winners Italy.
Not a day passes without the numerous international sporting press reporting on a Ghanaian international featuring in ‘some corner’ for club A or B. the likes of record signing Zamalek Ghanaian forward Junior Agogo Manuel, Kelvin Owusu Bossman, who features for Reading in England, Nana Kwasi Asare, who was among Ghana’s Squad for the 2008 African Cup of Nations, Michael Mensah, who features in the Swedish Allseven league and lately Reunben Ayarna, who has quit his computer science education to join Swedish Premiership side GAIS Gothenburg are among few players who got the opportunity to justify themselves with various Ghanaian national sides after the international sporting media have identified them.
Currently, one player who appears to have being commanding such huge media coverage by the Portuguese Sporting Press is Ghanaian defender Roland Osabutey, who together with fellow William Tierro and Moses Sekyi are reported to be raising high the flag of Ghana.
Perhaps, Osabutey is enjoying such media hype due to consistent form and guidance that has qualified his Portuguese side, Sport Club Mirandela for a play-off game that will earn him a ticket to feature in the Portuguese Premier Division.
A check on the club’s website on Osabutey who stands more than six-feet revealed that the player who joined them from NEC Brenda in Holland in 2002 featured in almost all league matches this season.
Just like stand-in Black Stars skipper, John Mensah, is referred as the ‘Rock’ in the Black Stars defense, Osabutey, has earned himself the same name (Rock) due to his stature and his work rate when on duty for his club.
As patriotic as I am, my wish for now is to see Roland Osabutey exhibit during the play-off the kind on performance he did that earned his side their ticket for the play-off after been crowned winners of the Portuguese Second Division in order to see another Ghanaian star secure a ticket to feature in the Portuguese elite division of soccer. However, my passionate appeal goes to the technical handlers of the senior national team, Black Stars to extend their monitoring to the Portuguese since the likes of William Tierro, Moses Sekyi and especially defender Roland Osabutey are currently making waves in the Portuguese league.