Emmanuel Okyere Boateng in a mid-air tussle with an opponent in a game
Definitely one of the brightest young Ghanaian prospects in Europe this year, Emmanuel Okyere Boateng scored his fifth goal of the season for Moreirense on Saturday.
Despite the hosts falling to a 4-1 defeat, Boateng has proven that he can be a consistent performer as he notched his second straight goal in the league against Arouca.
The 20-year-old forward is now his club’s leading scorer in the league with four goals, one ahead of Portuguese striker Daniel Podence.
Despite having a decent showing at the Fifa U-20 World Cup in New Zealand in 2015, Boateng has not been considered for the Black Stars who have been struggling to score goals in recent games.
Coach Avram Grant could turn to towards youth as his charges head to Gabon next month for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
With the Black Stars having failed to secure victory in their last two World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Egypt, confidence is surely not so high in the team.
However, Grant and his technical bench received a boost with the return to action of captain Asamoah Gyan who missed the last set of games due to injury.
His return to Al Ain and the experience he brings to the Ghana attack could help them towards ending a 34-year-long wait for a senior title.
Still, the continued growth of a player like Boateng signals that there would be tougher fights for starting places in the Ghana squad in 2017 as the Black Stars face a massive campaign to qualify for Russia 2018.
If he is not taken to Gabon, Boateng would continue to develop in the Primeira Liga while awaiting his time to shine with the Stars.
