This blogger Artur Yanturin of Russia copied many of my blog teams. This blog was one of them. It was my Russia All-Time Team here. His team was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. His Spartak Moscow All-Time team entry of was published in October 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2017. His entry of the Dutch-German rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. He also copied many many of my blog entries.
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| Ghana World Cup 2010 |
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.
Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Senegal,
North Africa,
The Rest of Africa(excluding Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Nigeria and North Africa).
African Born
Although Ghana did not qualify for the World Cup Finals until 2006, they have been a major African power for many decades. They won the Africa Cup of Nations four times and has been runner-up 4 more times. Before the WC Finals in 2006, they were best remembered for winning the 1991 U-17 World Cup in Italy. With the team as backbone, they went on to win a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics. Meanwhile, Abedi Pele and Tony Yeboah were starring in Europe at the same time. So there were high expectations for them at he World Cup Qualifiers. However, the Black Stars failed to qualify for the WC Finals in 1994. In 2010, Ghana made a run in South Africa before being stopped by a controversal action by Luis Suarez and then, losing on penalty shootout in the quarterfinal.
If there were an All-Time World Cup, this would be the 23 players I would bring to the tournament.
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| African Nations' Cup Winner 1965 |
GK: Robert Mensah
Robert Mensah played for Asante Kotoko SC and won African Club Cups in 1970. He was also a runner-up with the Ghana squad for the 1968 African Cup of Nations and represented Ghana at the 1968 Summer Olympics.He was controversial figure. He sometimes would would mock opposition players by reading a newspaper whilst goal-tending. He was murdered in 1971 by a fan.
GK: Richard Kingson
Richard Kingson was the starting goalkeeper at World Cup in 2010 where Ghana reached the quarterfinal. For club football, he played for several clubs in Turkey, for Hammarby in Sweden, and in England for Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Blackpool, who released him at the end of the 2010–11 season. His brother also played for Ghana.
GK: Joe Carr
Joe Carr was nicknamed "Black Cat". He represented Ghana in 4 Africans' Nation Cup, winning both 1978 and 1982 edition. He did not play in the 1982 edition. He is also Ghana's most capped player. For domestic football, Joe Carr played for Sekondi Hasaacas F.C. and Asante Kotoko in Ghana. became a goalkeeper coach after his retirement.
RB: John Paintsil
At one point, John Paintsil was the all-time cap record holder for an outfielder. He played 91 times for Ghana. He played professionally in Israel and England. He played 5 seasons in the Premiership in England. He played club football for Berekum Arsenal, Liberty Professionals, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv, West Ham United, Fulham, Leicester City, Santos and Maritzburg United.
CB: Samuel Kuffour
Samuel Kuffour was probably Ghana's most famous defender. He spent 11 seasons with Bayern Munich, winning almost everything. He won the Champions' League in 2001. He was twice runnerup for the African Player of the Year and won Ghana Player of Year in 1998, 1999 and 2001. He was capped 59 times. He played in the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany. His youth career started with Torino in Italy. He also played for Roma, Ajax and Livorno.
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| Samuel Kuffour |
John Mensah was capped 86 times between 2001 and 2012. He played in two World Cup Finals: 2006 and 2010. He started his junior rank with Bologna in Italy. He played professionally for many clubs in England, Italy and France. Some of the biggers clubs included Rennes, Sunderland, Lyon and Genoa. He was Ghana Player of the Year in 2006.
CB: John Eshun
Born in Sekondi, Eshun began playing club football for local sides Sekondi Eleven Wise F.C. and Sekondi Hasaacas F.C. Eshun represented Ghana at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City and the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. He also made several appearances for the senior Ghana national football team, including two FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, and he played at the 1968 and 1970 African Cup of Nations finals.
CB/CM: Kuuku Dadzie
Kuuku Dadzie was a star defender for Sekondi Hasaacas and Kumasi Asante Kotoko. He was a member of the Black Stars that won the African Cup of Nations for keeps in 1978. He also captained the national team to the African Cup of Nations in Nigeria in 1980 and the squad which qualified for the Moscow Olympic Games in the same year.
CB/LB: Charles Addo Odametey
Charles Addo Odametey won two African Cup of Nations in 1963 and 1965. He shares the record for the most appearances in a final of the African Nations Cup having played for the winning team in 1963 and 1965 (as captain) and in the 1968 final. He played for Ghana in the Olympic games of 1964 and 1968. He played for Heart of Oak in Ghana.
CM/LB/LW: Kwadwo Asamoah
Kwadwo Asamoah was named Ghana Player of the Year twice consecutively for 2012 and 2013. He was youth product of Torino in Italy, but he started his professional career with Udinese in 2008, and later moved to Juventus in 2012. He made it to Serie A Team if the Year in 2014. In 2018, he joined Inter Milan. Since 2008, he is a regular member of the national team. He played in the World Cup Finals in 2010 and 2014. He had 69 caps.
DM: Sulley Muntari
Sulley Muntari spent his career playing in England and Italy. While playing with Inter Milan, he won a Champions' league title in 2009-2010 under Jose Mourinho and two Serie A title. He also played with Sunderland, AC Milan and Portsmouth. He was also part of the Portsmouth team that won the FA Cup in 2007–08. He played in three World Cup Finals, earning over 80 caps.
CM: Michael Essien
Michael Essien was one of the best central midfielders in the world during his prime. He first became a star while playing for Lyon. Then, he moved to Chelsea. Over there, he won a Champions' league, two Premier League titles and four FA Cups. He also played with Real Madrid, AC Milan and Panathinaikos. Essien earned 58 caps in total. He had represented his nation at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Essien has also represented Ghana at the 2006 and 2014 World Cups.
CM/DM: Stephen Appiah
Stephen Appiah was one of the most important Ghanian players of his generation. He was a part of the 1995 World Cup Under-18 team winning team that put Ghana on the map. He captained Ghana's team at the World Cup Finals in 2006. He started with Hearts of Oak. Then, he spent 10 seasons playing in Italy, and he also played in Turkey and Serbia. In Italy, he played for Udinese, Juventus, Parma, etc.
CB/CM: Kuuku Dadzie
Kuuku Dadzie was a star defender for Sekondi Hasaacas and Kumasi Asante Kotoko. He was a member of the Black Stars that won the African Cup of Nations for keeps in 1978. He also captained the national team to the African Cup of Nations in Nigeria in 1980 and the squad which qualified for the Moscow Olympic Games in the same year.
CB/LB: Charles Addo Odametey
Charles Addo Odametey won two African Cup of Nations in 1963 and 1965. He shares the record for the most appearances in a final of the African Nations Cup having played for the winning team in 1963 and 1965 (as captain) and in the 1968 final. He played for Ghana in the Olympic games of 1964 and 1968. He played for Heart of Oak in Ghana.
CM/LB/LW: Kwadwo Asamoah
Kwadwo Asamoah was named Ghana Player of the Year twice consecutively for 2012 and 2013. He was youth product of Torino in Italy, but he started his professional career with Udinese in 2008, and later moved to Juventus in 2012. He made it to Serie A Team if the Year in 2014. In 2018, he joined Inter Milan. Since 2008, he is a regular member of the national team. He played in the World Cup Finals in 2010 and 2014. He had 69 caps.
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| Kwadwo Asamoah |
Sulley Muntari spent his career playing in England and Italy. While playing with Inter Milan, he won a Champions' league title in 2009-2010 under Jose Mourinho and two Serie A title. He also played with Sunderland, AC Milan and Portsmouth. He was also part of the Portsmouth team that won the FA Cup in 2007–08. He played in three World Cup Finals, earning over 80 caps.
CM: Michael Essien
Michael Essien was one of the best central midfielders in the world during his prime. He first became a star while playing for Lyon. Then, he moved to Chelsea. Over there, he won a Champions' league, two Premier League titles and four FA Cups. He also played with Real Madrid, AC Milan and Panathinaikos. Essien earned 58 caps in total. He had represented his nation at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Essien has also represented Ghana at the 2006 and 2014 World Cups.
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| Michael Essien |
Stephen Appiah was one of the most important Ghanian players of his generation. He was a part of the 1995 World Cup Under-18 team winning team that put Ghana on the map. He captained Ghana's team at the World Cup Finals in 2006. He started with Hearts of Oak. Then, he spent 10 seasons playing in Italy, and he also played in Turkey and Serbia. In Italy, he played for Udinese, Juventus, Parma, etc.
AM/CM: Karim Abdul Razak
Karim Abdul Razak was one of Ghana's greatest players. In 1978, he won the African Cup of Nations and then, became the African Player of the Year. He was voted as one of the CAF's 30 best footballers of the previous 50 years in 2007. He played for several clubs in the 1970s and 1980s, notably the local club Asante Kotoko and the New York Cosmos in the defunct North American Soccer League (NASL) where he played with Franz Beckenbauer.
Squad Explanation
-- This team was created November, 2014. Eight years later, I decided to redo their team. Basically, I gave more details on my explanation. No major change were made.
-- Emmanuel Ofei Ansah was IFFHS's selection as their greatest rightback from Ghana, but Ghana's selection of their 55 greatest footballers put him as a leftback. I also read that he was a leftback. He was a club legend with the Heart of Oak, where he was well-decorated. He earned the nickname ''The Rock of Gibraltar''. Harrison Afful and Frank Amankwah got some mentions, but I don't think they had done enough. Muhammad Polo selected Dan Oppong from the 1978 AFCON winning team as his greatest rightack on his selection of Ghana's All-Time Best XI. He was also chosen as one of the rightbacks on Ghana's greatest 55 players. However, I did not know much about him. Instead, I took John Paintsil who had a great career playing club football in Europe. He represented Ghana at the World Cup Finals. Most lists considered him one of Ghana's greatest players. Mensah also played as a rightback for Ghana. So I decided to go with a single rightback.
-- For attack midfielders, Abedi Pele and Karim Abdul Razak took two spots. Abedi Pele needed no introduction. Karim Abdul Razak was known as Ghana's "Golden Boy". He was the African Player of the Year in 1978 after helping Ghana to win the AFCON that year.
Karim Abdul Razak was one of Ghana's greatest players. In 1978, he won the African Cup of Nations and then, became the African Player of the Year. He was voted as one of the CAF's 30 best footballers of the previous 50 years in 2007. He played for several clubs in the 1970s and 1980s, notably the local club Asante Kotoko and the New York Cosmos in the defunct North American Soccer League (NASL) where he played with Franz Beckenbauer.
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| Karim Abdul Razak |
FW/RW Baba Yara
Baba Yara was a legendary player in West Africa and known as "the King of Wingers of West Africa ". His real name was Osman Seidu. He was Ghana Player of the Year, twice. For domestic football, he played for Asante Kotoko, the Real Republikans He scored 49 times in 51 caps for Ghana. His career was cut short by a car accident. He died in 1969. The largest stadium in Ghana was named after him.
AM/LW: Ibrahim Sunday
Ibrahim Sunday was the first Ghanaian to win the African Player of the Year when he won it in 1971. He won the African Champions of Cup with Asante Kotoko in 1971. He moved to Werder Bremen in 1975, but he barely played over there. However, he is still the first African player to play in the Bundesliga.
LW: Mohammed Ahmed "Polo"
Mohammed Ahmed "Polo" made his national team debut at the age of 17. He won the 1978 African Cup of Nations held in Ghana as a member of the national team. He was a left winger and played for Hearts of Oak in the Ghana premier league. He was a member of the team known as "Fearsome Four". He also played in Dubai, UAE for Al Wasl in the 1980's.
LW/AW: Andre Ayew
Ayew is the son of Abedi Pele. He began his career in Ghana, playing for Nania. In 2005, he signed with his father's former club, Marseille. He made over 200 appearances and winning consecutive Trophée des champions and Coupe de la Ligues in both 2010 and 2011. He also played for Swansea. In 2011 Ayew was named the BBC African Footballer of the Year and Ghanaian Footballer of the Year. He represented Ghana at the WC Finals in 2010 and 2014.
AM/SS/RW: Osei Kofi
He was was nicknamed the 'wizard dribbler' because of his ball dribbling skills. He won the African Cup of Nations in 1965, where he was the joint top-scorer. He was the third highest scorer in the 1968 Africa Cup of Nations. Osei Kofi was called the 'wizard dribbler' because of his ball dribbling skills. He played for Asante Kotoko at home. He later became a priest.
AM/SS: Abedi Pele
Abedi Pele was one of the greatest African player ever. He was best remembered for his career with Marseille, where he won the first ever Champions' League title for a French club. He was African Player of the Year for three straight years between 1991 and 1993. He was voted 3rd as the African Player of the Century. He had 77 caps for Ghana. He was a member of the team that won African Cup of Nations in 1982. He was at one point the country's all-time top scorer.
FW: Opoku Nti
Known as "Zico", Opoku Nti was Ghana's top player before Abedi Pele. He won the African Cup of Nations in 1982. He had a brief career in Switzerland. Opoku Nti scored the match-winning goal that helped Asante Kotoko winning the 1983 Africa Clubs Championship. He came second as the African Player of the Year the same year.
Baba Yara was a legendary player in West Africa and known as "the King of Wingers of West Africa ". His real name was Osman Seidu. He was Ghana Player of the Year, twice. For domestic football, he played for Asante Kotoko, the Real Republikans He scored 49 times in 51 caps for Ghana. His career was cut short by a car accident. He died in 1969. The largest stadium in Ghana was named after him.
AM/LW: Ibrahim Sunday
Ibrahim Sunday was the first Ghanaian to win the African Player of the Year when he won it in 1971. He won the African Champions of Cup with Asante Kotoko in 1971. He moved to Werder Bremen in 1975, but he barely played over there. However, he is still the first African player to play in the Bundesliga.
LW: Mohammed Ahmed "Polo"
Mohammed Ahmed "Polo" made his national team debut at the age of 17. He won the 1978 African Cup of Nations held in Ghana as a member of the national team. He was a left winger and played for Hearts of Oak in the Ghana premier league. He was a member of the team known as "Fearsome Four". He also played in Dubai, UAE for Al Wasl in the 1980's.
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| Mohammed Ahmed "Polo" |
Ayew is the son of Abedi Pele. He began his career in Ghana, playing for Nania. In 2005, he signed with his father's former club, Marseille. He made over 200 appearances and winning consecutive Trophée des champions and Coupe de la Ligues in both 2010 and 2011. He also played for Swansea. In 2011 Ayew was named the BBC African Footballer of the Year and Ghanaian Footballer of the Year. He represented Ghana at the WC Finals in 2010 and 2014.
AM/SS/RW: Osei Kofi
He was was nicknamed the 'wizard dribbler' because of his ball dribbling skills. He won the African Cup of Nations in 1965, where he was the joint top-scorer. He was the third highest scorer in the 1968 Africa Cup of Nations. Osei Kofi was called the 'wizard dribbler' because of his ball dribbling skills. He played for Asante Kotoko at home. He later became a priest.
AM/SS: Abedi Pele
Abedi Pele was one of the greatest African player ever. He was best remembered for his career with Marseille, where he won the first ever Champions' League title for a French club. He was African Player of the Year for three straight years between 1991 and 1993. He was voted 3rd as the African Player of the Century. He had 77 caps for Ghana. He was a member of the team that won African Cup of Nations in 1982. He was at one point the country's all-time top scorer.
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| Abedi Pele |
Known as "Zico", Opoku Nti was Ghana's top player before Abedi Pele. He won the African Cup of Nations in 1982. He had a brief career in Switzerland. Opoku Nti scored the match-winning goal that helped Asante Kotoko winning the 1983 Africa Clubs Championship. He came second as the African Player of the Year the same year.
ST Asamoah Gyan
ST: Anthony Yeboah
Anthony Yeboah enjoyed a successful career in Europe and was one of the best African players in the 1990's. His most successful period was spent with Eintracht Frankfrut where he was the Bundesliga back-to-back top scorers twice in five seasons. He also played for Leeds United. He earned 59 caps, Despite playing with Abedi Pele, Ghana failed to qualify for the World Cup Finals. He is the third highest goalscoring total in the nation's history behind Abedi Pele and Asamoah Gyan.
Asamoah Gyan is Ghana's all-time leading goal-scorer. He played in three World Cup Finals: 2006, 2010 and 2014. With 6 goals, he is the top African goalscorer in the history of the World Cup. Gyan has also represented Ghana in seven Africa Cup of Nations. In 2010, Ghana reached the quarterfinal of the World Cup Finals in South Africa. Gyan played his club football with Udinese, Rennes, Sunderland, Al Ain FC, Shanghai SIPG, etc.
ST: Anthony Yeboah
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| Anthony Yeboah |
Honorable Mention
Arthur Wharton, John Baker, Doddo Ankrah, Sammy Adjei, Edward Ansah, Michael Owusu Mensah, Addoquaye Laryea, Emmanuel Kofie, Sam Acquah, Edward Boyd, Seth Ampadu, John Eshun, Dogo Moro, Hesse Odamtten, Joe Odoi, Jonathan Mensah, Isaac Acquaye, Sampson Lamptey, Awuley Quaye, Emmanuel Ansah, Harrison Afful, Dan Oppong, Kwasi Owusu, John Nketia Yawson, Edward Aggey-Finn, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, Wilberforce Mfum, Albert Asase, Adolf Armah, George Alhassan, Dan Owusu, Malik Jabir, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Charles Gyamfi, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, Edward Acquah, Isaac Asare, James Kwesi Appiah "Akwasi Appiah", James Adjei, Edward Aggrey-Fynn, Emmanuel Quarshie, Charles Akonnor.
Arthur Wharton, John Baker, Doddo Ankrah, Sammy Adjei, Edward Ansah, Michael Owusu Mensah, Addoquaye Laryea, Emmanuel Kofie, Sam Acquah, Edward Boyd, Seth Ampadu, John Eshun, Dogo Moro, Hesse Odamtten, Joe Odoi, Jonathan Mensah, Isaac Acquaye, Sampson Lamptey, Awuley Quaye, Emmanuel Ansah, Harrison Afful, Dan Oppong, Kwasi Owusu, John Nketia Yawson, Edward Aggey-Finn, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, Wilberforce Mfum, Albert Asase, Adolf Armah, George Alhassan, Dan Owusu, Malik Jabir, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Charles Gyamfi, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, Edward Acquah, Isaac Asare, James Kwesi Appiah "Akwasi Appiah", James Adjei, Edward Aggrey-Fynn, Emmanuel Quarshie, Charles Akonnor.
Squad Explanation
-- This team was created November, 2014. Eight years later, I decided to redo their team. Basically, I gave more details on my explanation. No major change were made.
-- Abedi Pele won the African Player of the Year four times. He is probably the greatest Ghanaian player. Ibrahim Sunday and Karim Abdul Razak also won the award. Samuel Kuffour, Michael Essien, Asamoah Gyan and André Ayew have won the BBC African Player of the Year.
-- Anthony Yeboah and Abedi Pele never had any chemistry on the field together. Yeboah was Bundesliga top scorer for the 1992–93, 1993–94 season while Abedi Pele was the best African player in the world in the period. They would have been a force to reckon with during their prime. They never won anything for Ghana. They never qualified for the World Cup Finals.
-- Ghana almost reached the semifinal of the 2010 World Cup Finals. From that team, I took Asamoah Gyan, Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew and Kwadwo Asamoah. Michael Essien who was probably the best known player of that generation missed the World Cup Finals in South Africa.
-- Anthony Yeboah and Abedi Pele never had any chemistry on the field together. Yeboah was Bundesliga top scorer for the 1992–93, 1993–94 season while Abedi Pele was the best African player in the world in the period. They would have been a force to reckon with during their prime. They never won anything for Ghana. They never qualified for the World Cup Finals.
-- Ghana almost reached the semifinal of the 2010 World Cup Finals. From that team, I took Asamoah Gyan, Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew and Kwadwo Asamoah. Michael Essien who was probably the best known player of that generation missed the World Cup Finals in South Africa.
-- The IFFHS selected the following players for their Ghana's Best XI: Robert Mensah, Emmanuel Ofei Ansah, Samuel Kuffour, James Kuuku Dadzie, Kwadwo Asamoah, Ibrahim Sunday, Michael Essien, Abédi Pelé, Karim Abdul Razak, Mohammed Polo and Tony Yeboah.
-- The Confederation of African Football (CAF) compiled a list of 200 greatest African footballers of the last 50 years in 2006. I used this list as a reference. The Ghanians selected were: Michael Essien, Nil Lamptey, Samuel Kuffour, Tony Yeboah, Abedi Pele, Albert Asase, Opoku Afriyie, Adolf Armah, Joseph Carr, Mohammed Polo, Karim Abdul Razak, Edward Aggrey-Fynn, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, Malik Jabir, Osei Kofi, Robert Mensah, Wilberforce Mfum, Ibrahim Sunday, Baba Yara.
-- A list of Ghana’s 55 finest footballers was compiled by Primeval Media and F&B Media Group to mark the Ghana's 60 Years. I used it as a reference.
-- Andre Ayew is the son of Abedi Pele. Both made this team. Jordan Ayew was less famous than his father Abedi Pele and brother Andre, but he played in the Premiership for at least over 5 seasons. For the Black Stars, he ranked in the top for most caps and goals. He is a borderline case of making honorable mention. Abedi also had a third son Ibrahim Ayew who was capped 7 times for Ghana. Kwame Ayew who was capped 25 times was Abedi's younger brother. He scored 6 goals at the 1992 Olympic Games where Ghana took the bronze medal.
Goalkeepers
-- Robert Mensah was usually named as Ghana's greatest goalkeeper followed by Richard Kingson. He had some wild stories about him reading a newspaper in front of the goal just to taunt the opponents. He was famous for wearing a cap in games.
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| Robert Mensah |
-- Kingson had played at a higher club level than any other Ghanaian goalkeepers in history. For Ghana, he also played in two World Cup Finals. In 2014, I took Joseph Carr who helped Ghana to win the 1978 AFCON. In 2022, I seriously looked into Doddo Ankrah, Sammy Adjei and Edward Ansah.
-- Dodoo Ankrah helped the Black Stars team to win the 1963 Africa Cup of Nations, which was Ghana’s first continental titles. He also went to the Olympics in Tokyo. He was also part of the legendary team Real Republicans that won the FA Cup for a historic four consecutive times. Sammy Adjei's career was overshadowed by Richard Kingson, but he seemed to have been rated highly. Edward Ansah's international career lasted 19 seasons. In the end, I stayed with Joe Carr.
-- John Baker was listed as one of five goalkeepers on the list of Ghana 55 greatest footballers. I found limited information on him. So I put him directly on honorable mention alongside Michael Owusu Mensah and Addoquaye Laryea.
-- Michael Owusu Mensah saved two penalties during the shootout in the Final of African Cup of Nations in 1982. Joseph Carr was the regular goalkeeper at that point, but Mensah started the game because Carr was unwell. I put him on honorable mention because of his heroic effect against host Libya, but he was not mentioned anywhere else. Addoquaye Laryea played in the first ever World Cup Qualifier for Ghana. Emmanuel Kofie played for New York Cosmos in the early 1970's before the days of Pele. He actually shared duties with Robert Mensah on the national team, but I did not see his name on too many Ghanaian sources.
-- Born in Ghana, Arthur Wharton moved to England in 1882 at age 19, to train as a Methodist missionary, but instead he ended up playing football. He was eligible for this team because he was an uncapped player and born in Ghana. But I decided to select the three Ghanian international goalkeepers. He was widely considered to be the first Black professional footballer. He became a professional player in 1889 when he signed with Rotherham Town. He was a part of the Preston North End team that was known as the "Invincibles".
Defender
-- Samuel Kuffour is not only Ghana's greatest defender. He was probably one of Africa's greatest defenders. His was a stalwart of Bayern Munich's defense for 12 seasons at a time when Bayern Munich was one of the best team in the world. He was the BBC African Player of the Year. He might be Africa's greatest defender. He is the only member of the 1991 U17 World Cup Winning Team selected.
-- Charles Addo Odametey and James Kuuku Dadzie must be the next two central defenders. Odametey was an integral part of the Black Stars team that won back-to-back AFCON titles in 1963 and 1965. He was a legend at Hearts of Oak. Some sources also listed him as a leftback. Even Mohammed Ahmed "Polo" listed him as a leftback on his All-Time Best XI. James Kuuku Dadzie was IFFHS' choices for one of the central defender. He helped Ghana to win their third AFCON title. He himself claimed to be the greatest central defender from Ghana.
-- I was choosing between John Mensah, John Eshun and Dogo Moro for the last central defender. Dogo Moro was an old-timer who appeared at the beginning of Ghana';s national team in the 1950's. He was described as a sweeper, but given his time period, he must be a pioneer in his position. So I had some doubts. Mensah was a key player in two World Cup Finals. It was the most important period in Ghana's football history. John Eshun was the captain for the African select side that played in the 1972 mini-World Cup in Brazil and the Afro-Latin America games in Mexico. He was even listed as one of Africa's greatest central defenders, but I decided to put him behind John Mensah (see forward section). He deserved a spot. I also put Jonathan Mensah, Isaac Acquaye, Sampson Lamptey and Awuley Quaye on Honorable Mentions.
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| John Mensah |
-- At the time of writing, Kwadwo Asamoah has spent 13 seasons in Serie A. He notably played for Juventus, where he was named Serie A Team of the Season in the 2013-2014 season. He was the obvious choice for leftback. Some sources also listed Charles Addo Odametey as a leftback. Even Mohammed Ahmed "Polo" listed him as a leftback on his All-Time Best XI. So I did not take a second leftback. Hans Sarpei spent some times playing in the Bundesliga. I also came across Hesse Odamtten, Isaac Asare and James Kwesi Appiah "Akwasi Appiah". They only made honorable mention. Asare was a star more in youth level and Ghana did well during that era. So he was a bigger name than what he was portrayed.
-- Joe Odoi was Ghana's Player of the Year in 1984. He could play on both rightback and leftback. From my understanding, he won the award as a right midfielder.
Midfielders/Wingers
-- Michael Essien is considered one of Africa's greatest ever midfielders. Of course, he must be on the team. Sulley Muntari's career in Europe also spoke for itself. I need his defensive presence on the midfield. Stephen Appiah was one of the more important players in the most successful part of Ghana's history. He captained their first ever World Cup team. So both Muntari and Appiah should also be undisputed.
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| Stephen Appiah |
-- Thomas Partey deserved to be on this team. He established himself in the Premiership and La Liga. For Ghana, he had not done enough as the other central/defensive midfielders. I will do a review of his status after the 2022 World Cup Finals.
-- Adolf Armah was voted second at the 1979 African Cup of Nations. I did not know about his position. He might be a defensive midfielder, but I do not see him ahead of Essien, Appiah and Muntari. And if he was an attack midfielder, I already took Abedi Pele and Karim Abdul Razak. So I put him on honorable mention.
-- On the right side, I could use Baba Yara. (real name Osman Seidu). He was Ghana's first ever star player. He played in the 1950's and was known as "King Winger". Ghana’s largest stadium in Kumasi is name after him. Some people considered him instead of Abedi Pele as Ghana's greatest ever player. Osei Kofi was not mentioned much, but he won the 1965 African Cup of Nations single-handed according to many sources. I rewarded him with a spot in 2014. He was probably a right wing-forward
-- Christian Atsu was voted the best player in the 2015 AFCON. He also did well in Newcastle United. He was a left winger/attack midfielder. Unfortunately for him, Ghana was loaded with top left wingers. Andre Ayew and Mohammed Ahmed "Polo" were undisputed selections. So I had two left wingers ahead of him. I listed Ibrahim Sunday as a left wing in 2014, but I could not find more information in 2022 to suggest that. So I am unsure about which side he played on. At the time of writing, Iñaki Williams switched his allegiance from Spain to Ghana. In La Liga, he was a top forward/left wing forward.
-- Ibrahim Sunday did not enjoy a good European career, but he was playing in an era where African players had limited opportunity to play in Europe. He was the first Ghanaian to become African Player of the Year. He was perhaps one of the best African players in his generation. He was incorrectly named as the first African player to play in Bundesliga. In actuality, Charles Gyamfi was first African and Ghanaian to play over there. He later coached Ghana to three AFCON titles, making him the most successful coach in that tournament history.
-- Muhammed Polo could lay claim to be one of the greatest Ghanaian footballers.
-- Andre Ayew is currently the joint most capped player. While there were many second generation players, he followed his father's footsteps by winning an individual continental award. He was the BBC African Player of the Year. It was not the same award as his father won, but it was close enough.
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| Andre Ayew |
-- Kevin-Prince Boateng had played for big clubs so he was very famous among the contemporary fans.. He also contributed to Ghana's run at the WC Finals in 2010. However, Ghana has many great attackers. One source claimed playmaker James Adjei as Ghana's greatest. I also came across Edward Aggrey-Fynn and Emmanuel Quarshie. They all made honorable mentions only.
-- Nil Lamptey actually played well with Anderlecht and PSV Eindhoven. He led Ghana to win the 1991 FIFA U-17 World Championship, which put Ghana or even African football on the map. I toyed with the idea of giving him an honourable mention. However, his choice would have the most controversial ever on my blog.
-- I did not know much about John Nketia Yawson. So I only put him on honorable mention.
Forwards
-- For the modern fans, the two big names in this position were Anthony Yeboah and Asamoah Gyan. Yeboah was a famous striker in both Bundesliga and Premiership. Gyan is Ghana's all-time leading goal-scorer.
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| Asamoah Gyan |
-- Then, I selected Opoku Nti who made many all-time lists. He was Ghana's biggest star in the 1980's.
-- Wilberforce Mfum was a hero of 1963 African Nations' Cup. He also played for NY Cosmos, but before the era of Pele and Franz Beckenbauer. He only made my honorable mention.
-- Kwasi Owusu was at one point the all-time leading scorer for Ghana. However, he was excluded from the list of Ghana’s 55 finest footballers compiled by Primeval Media and F&B Media Group to mark the Ghana's 60 Years. They even selected his club strike partner Dan Owusu, Dan Owusu was a top scorer in Ghana's domestic league. I only put him on honorable mention because of Asamoah Gyan and Anthony Yeboah. I also had other wing forwards on the team.
-- In 2022, I decided to drop George Alhassan. I did not recall why i select him in 2014. He won the African Cup of Nations in home soil in 1978. Four years later, he helped Ghana regain the title successfully, being the top scorer of the tournament with four goals. However, I did not see his name mention in 2022. Instead, I added defender John Eshun.
-- George Alhassan won the African Cup of Nations in home soil in 1978. Four years later, he helped Ghana regain the title successfully, being the top scorer of the tournament with four goals. At the club level, Alhassan played for Hearts of Oak in the domestic football league. He later played in UAE before joining Al-Ahly in Egypt for a short period only due to his long term injury problems.
Starting lineup
Formation: 4-3-3
My big question mark was the left wing forward position. I have four great candidates for the position: Andre Ayew, Opoku Nti, Ibrahim Sunday and Muhammad Polo. I played Essien as a rightback so that I could field Karim Abdul Razak, Slley Muntari and Stephen Appiah.
Formation: 4-3-3
My big question mark was the left wing forward position. I have four great candidates for the position: Andre Ayew, Opoku Nti, Ibrahim Sunday and Muhammad Polo. I played Essien as a rightback so that I could field Karim Abdul Razak, Slley Muntari and Stephen Appiah.
Mensah
ReplyDeleteAfful Kuffour Addo Atsu
Essien Asamoah
Sunday Razak A.Pele
Yeboah
https://www.angelfire.com/ak/EgyptianSports/africanhistory.html
https://www.facebook.com/Ghanasportshistory/photos/a.180639052767093/1161242271373428/?type=3