GPL Analysis: The Six Key Players Behind Karela's Fantastic Form

Crosby Awuah Memorial Park.
That's the home of new Ghana Premier League entrant Karela FC, and it's proven to be a fortress this season. They are defying all odds, and on Wednesday, destroyed Hearts 3-1.

The Nzemaland-based club lies second in the league standings with 14 points. Unbeaten on their home turf after 69 games, the club is building a strong reputation and are among the teams with the fewest number of goals (four) conceded.

It's been a fine team effort, but core to this success has been four players acquired during the transfer window. For many newbies to the top flight, a lack of experience immediately becomes a problem. Karela forestalled this problem with the buying of these players to provide the needed backbone for their campaign.

Maxwell Baako (winger)
His transfer to Karela FC caused a stir in the media circles but he has proved critics wrong. Baako played an outstanding role in Wa All-Stars' league triumph in 2016 as the nimble-footed winger was one of the standout players in the campaign that season.

This season, he had a man-of-the-match performance as Karela beat Berekum Chelsea. Deployed on both flanks, he can also feature centrally as a playmaker. But perhaps his key competence is his decision making. Baako is also a good dribbler, and decent in dead ball situations from 20-25 yards. Critics, however, point to his unwillingness to track back as a concern. He's got the world at his feet if he can be consistent.

Abdul Ganiu Ismail (defender)
Also a key part of the Wa All Stars side that won the league. His immense presence in the heart of defence has contributed to the side conceding only twice at home this season. One of Karela’s best performers, Ismail’s reading of the game has been applauded and is hotly tipped to be a mainstay of future CHAN callups. The ball-playing centre-back, however, lacks pace, and that's his main weakness.

Sadiq Alhassan (holding midfielder)
After gaining national team experience with the CHAN side, Alhassan returned to Wa All Stars with a bang and formed a formidable partnership with Kofi Yeboah in midfield. He is remembered fondly as the player who scored the goal that won Wa All Stars the league title with one game to spare. An all-round midfielder, a tactical decision led to his not starting their first game against Medeama, but he's slotted in seamlessly, since. It may be an exaggeration, but watchers of the player say he has absolutely no weakness. Sadiq is that good.

Emmanuel Ocran (Winger/playmaker)
On loan from Wa All Stars, the winger has played just two games in the league. But he's left fans with lots to think about. The former Real Monarch star has a keen eye for goal, and it makes him a dangerous player. Currently injured, he could not feature against Hearts, but his key attribute were his defence-splitting passes.

Also of note is his football brain: Karela has played three formations so far in the league including 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-3-2-1. Ocran excels in all three as an auxiliary striker and helped them become a flexible side. The frightening thing is that his game-changing qualities have not yet been brought to bear, yet.

Honourable mentions
Deowusi Taylor, a striker, was the top scorer two seasons ago for the whole of the Division One (Zone Two) campaign. Unfortunately. Elmina Sharks were superior and qualified for the Ghana Premier League.

Isaac Kwain often mentioned as one of the best fullbacks in Ghana over the past three seasons. He moved to Karela on a free transfer after ending his contract with Ebusua Dwarfs.

Last 7 matches
Medeama 1-0 Karela FC
Karela FC 1-1 Eleven Wonders
Karela FC 0-1 Ashantigold
Karela FC 3-0 Ebusua Dwarfs
Dreams 0-0 Karela FC
Karela FC 1-0 Berekum Chelsea
Wa All Stars 0-1 Karela FC
Karela 3-1 Hearts
Need more info on Karela? We profiled the whole team in detail in this piece.