Ghana Premier League- First Round Best XI
Felix Annan
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Felix Annan
- Felix Annan (WAFA) – If coach John Killa (best coach of the round) was asked to perhaps choose the signing of the season so far, I suppose he would have not many other options aside the on-loan Kotoko goalie, Felix Annan. The young goalkeeper kept 7 clean sheets in 11 games and WAFA conceded just 6 goals and lost only 1 match in games he featured. Amassing a win rate of 54.5 per cent when he’s in goal as against 25 per cent win rate when he doesn’t play. The 22 year-old who enjoyed a loan stint with RTU last season has obviously been denied adequate plaudits from all and sundry in the league. Nonetheless, he gives the exuberant WAFA backline more than enough cover. It is no surprise that Annan has shoved off competition from Richard Kingson, Robert Dabuo and Osei Kwame as the current best goalkeeper in the domestic topflight division.
- Godfred Saka (Aduana Stars) – It’s a shame that the best right-back in the local league barely earns any call-up whatsoever to the senior national team (Black Stars). Godfred Saka has monopolized the right-back spot in the top-tier division for close to half a decade and this season is no different. Saka who is equally good at defending and attacking has quite a handful of vital assists this season, most importantly helping Aduana Stars continue their impressive run against defending champions Kotoko, providing the all important assist for Richard Arhin’s winning goal. He repeated a similar feat against top-guns Hearts of Oak, he assisted and converted a penalty by himself in their 2-3 loss to Hearts. Saka clearly is miles ahead of all the lateral defenders in the league currently. It is noteworthy that, Hasaacas’ Amos Korankye could give him a good run for his money come the end of the season.
- Ahmed Adams (Kotoko) – There are few defenders technically gifted as Ahmed Adams in this year’s league. His ability to read the game from a pyramid angle of view from the back is quite unreal for a central defender. It is evident why the intelligent center-back has taken the shine off the league’s best center-back for last season, Abeiku Ainooson. Adams has won the Matchday MVP on two (2) or more occasions. He barely puts a wrong foot forward. The witty defender is in the heart of Kotoko’s backline and perhaps primary reason why they’ve conceded fewer goals (11) than any side.Adams has been the brightest spot in Kotoko this season, leading to many a proposition that did he feature against Eulma MC, maybe – just maybe, Kotoko might have had the last laugh.
- Robin Gnagne (Hearts) – You don’t see many monsters these days, do you? Well, the last I saw a monster, Robin Gnagne had reduced it to shreds. Such a bullish, terrifying defender for the Phobians. Gnagne has carved a niche for himself as probably the most no-nonsense-defender in the league since last year. Aside his imposing physical presence, Gnagne is a team leader, ‘Captain Xtra O’, scares the crap out of attackers and sometimes his own colleagues. His ability to make timely (though sometimes ruthless) tackles gives a little edge over Emmanuel Akuoko and Alfred Nelson who are equally good center-backs. If Gnagne continues this trajectory and adds a huge lump of technicalities, then the Ivorian would soon own the nearest juggernaut in your vicinity.
- Joshua Tijani (AshGold) – Avid fans of the league leaders would readily remember Joshua Tijani for his last-gasp goal and equalizer for AshGod versus Lions in their 2-2 draw at the Len Clay. Goal was scored in the 94th minute. Yes, 90 + 4. The humble and level-headed left-back has registered 1 assist, just few behind club’s top assist provider Bernard Morrison (4). Emmanuel Asante, Shuan October and Isaac Oduro might have been pretty phenomenal in the first round but Joshua’s consistency is his biggest weapon, given that he isn’t your fancy flying full back.
- Isaac Twum (Lions) – It is quite surprising that one of the most difficult positions in football has been cleanly and exquisitely marshaled by two teenagers in this year’s league almost flawlessly : Ashimeru Majeed and Isaac Twum. Narrowing down on Isaac Twum who has been chosen over Majeed, the controversial Lions’ midfielder whose age brouhaha denied Ghana’s U17 squad of a qualification berth in this year’s African Junior Championship after Cameroon won a protest, has shrugged the disappointed off and given himself a new moniker. Scoring the fastest goal in the Week 1 fixtures under 4 minutes against New Edubiase, Isaac Twum has thus gone on to become some sort of a little warrior in the middle of the field. One of his best displays was against Great Olympics, where he backpocketed experienced Godfred Asante, though Asante was on target as Olympics ran 3-2 winners. Twum is the second youngest player to score in the league at age 16 years, 338 days. Malik Akowuah and Majeed Ashimeru can do little but to admire the awesomeness of perhaps the best box-box midfielder in the country.
- Noah Martey (Bechem United) – There’s only one Noah Martey, only one – I repeat only one. The 19 year-old midfielder is a sure bet for the league’s discovery of the year, fastforwarding to the end of the league. Martey has scored 8 goals from midfield more than any midfielder. Not only did he win February player of the month where he scored a goal in every single game played in the said month. He also remains the only player to score in 5 successive games and as well the only player to score in 5 consecutive home games. Lest we forget, he’s still a midfielder, clearly unrivaled this year.
- Frederick Yamoah (Inter Allies) – Frederick Yamoah is quite far from even being Inter Allies’ best player so far. But in truth, there hasn’t been a better winger in the league. Yamoah has registered 5 assists more than any player in the league. Yamoah’s good vision and preciseness is the main reason he gets the nod over Petrus Shitembi and Emmanuel Asante as well as Francis Attuquaye, who have all had quite a sterling opening to this year’s campaign.
- Nuhu Fuseini (New Edubiase) – Ever watched any movie where two doppelgangers were terrorizing? Well, they definitely are Fuseini and Alhassan Nuhu. There hasn’t been an end to the impressive display of the twins this season. Only that, Nuhu Fuseini has scored 8 times whilst his twin has just half of them. Fuseini provides assists as well, aside his scoring prowess. He has a good link-up play with Bismark Idan oops, Alhassan Nuhu rather. There haven’t been many impressive players this year aside Nuhu Fuseini who was shortlisted for February Player of the Month. He scored in 4 consecutive home games, no fluke that his club has scored more goals than any side this year.
- Stephen Baffour Asare (Brekum Chelsea) – Baffour Asare also has 8 goals on the topscorers log, as much as Gilbert Fiamenyo. But aside scoring, he has assisted not less than 3 goals with his partner-in-crime Kofi Owusu who also has 6 goals this season. If it’s goals, call on them as they’re unanimously the most prolific pair of strikers around, keeping Brekum Chelsea’s 31-game unbeaten home run intact. “Sorry Fiamenyo, add something more to your game, Stephen pipped you to this one”.
- Nathaniel Ohene Asamoah (Medeama SC) – Nathaniel Asamoah scored against 8 out of 15 other clubs in the first round. The reigning March Player of the Month scored in every game played in April. 4 goals in 3 games. He also has scored 2 times in 4 separate games more than any player. He’s up for topscorer of the year already leading the pack with 12 goals (11 according to the PLB). Ohene Asamoah could as well be the next big thing in Black Stars if Avram Grant gives him an invite sooner than later, who knows?