I was present at a meeting with Black Stars German coach Burkhard Ziese at Obuasi,19 years ago, (2004 to be precise), when he predicted the future greatness of national football star Asamoah Gyan. There was a fiat though “that is if you show discipline and attach serious dedication to your God-given talent” Ziese added.
I was in the company of the then Deputy Sports Minister Mr Joe Aggrey on an impromptu forenoon visit to the Black Stars camp at Obuasi preparing for an international assignment scheduled for the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
A roll call found Asamoah Gyan missing “in transit” much to the visible disappointment of the Coach.
When the budding star resurfaced after two hours Burkhard arranged a quick meeting with the young man in the presence of Minister Joe Aggrey and yours truly. In a real fatherly manner Burkhard extolled the hidden talents he had discovered in Asamoah Gyan. He spoke with some calm religious fervour and actually pleaded with the young man not to waste his God-given football talent. You could sense from Asamoah’s facial expression that the message had sunk Naturally, when off the pitch Asamoah Gyan appears to be a happy go lucky chap who likes music as a great hobby. Initially he seemed to be too playful and missed far too many glaring scoring chances but I believe when he remembered the admonition by coach Burkhard Ziese he put on his thinking cap and became a real terror in the opponent’s penalty area that won him several accolades. Right from the humble beginning at Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals he was blessed with lucrative exploits overseas and gracefully ended up as a global star in FIFA World Cup scoring chart.
When he announced his official retirement form active football historians quickly recalled his philanthropy, especially the provision of sports facilities for his Alma Mater, the celebrated Accra Academy, and his pursuit to breed young talents.
Hailing from the former Brong Ahafo Region, it reminds some of us of trailblazers from that region like Agyeman Gyau, Atta Kwame Adasi Fofie, the Barnier Bris, Agyeman Badu the “Soccer Articulator,” Saara Mensah, George Arthur, Akuamoah Toyota, Dan Owusu, Kwasi Owusu and Co. There is no doubt that the Brong and Ahafo regions are gradually but unnoticeably producing a lot of skillful players and we’ll managed clubs. In fact, since the turn of the century they have consistently provided a sizable number of Premier division clubs. And with return from the wilderness of the famous Bofoakwa Tano to the Premier league Brong Ahafo have five trenchant clubs gunning for national honours. The other four are Aduana Stars, Bechem United, Berekum Chelsea and Nsoatreman.
Indeed, the mention of Bofoakwa brings to mind the emergence in the 70s of Ghana’s amazing twin strikers, Kwasi Owusu and Dan Owusu, who between them scored 52 goals for Bofoakwa in the1975 league. Dan scored 28 and Kwasi netted 24. Dan won the goal king title thrice back to back. It took 26 years before Ishmael Addo of Hearts could equal this feat in 2001.
I am told of a new discovery from “Gyankrom” nicknamed Sunyani Neymar. Not much has been heard of him these days and let’s hope he lives up to his nickname.
May I at this juncture suggest to the GFA to arrange a testimonial match to honour Asamoah Gyan on his honourable official retirement from active football.
It could all be part of the Diamond Jubilee of the Black Stars first acquisition of the Afcon Cup in 1963 that I suggested recently. Sixty years is a lofty anniversary of any historic event and Ghana should not be the odd nation out.
Luckily we still have at least four survivors of the marvellous 1963 feat which was led by the amazing utility player Edward Nanabanyin, Aggrey Fynn of blessed memory.
I can firmly confirm that at the time of writing this article we have four surviving members of the “Titanic” Black Stars squad all based in Accra. They are Leonard Acquah formerly of Ghana Army Football team, Kofi Pare of Real Republikans, Osei Kofi and Wilberforce Mfum both of Asante Kotoko.
Incidentally, all these survivors in their 80s were forward players for whatever its worth.
They are our past heroes and it is said that any nation that does not honour her heroes is not worth dying for.
I continue with the profiles of Asante Kotoko 1982 squad and Accra Hearts of Oak 1985 squad.
ASANTE KOTOKO 1982
Kofi Badu (Rastaman)
The son of a carpenter, Kofi Badu is one of the few Ghanaian footballers who rose to fame within a short period.
A good dribbler in his own right Kofi Badu’s asset is his abundant stamina. Like a steam engine, he accelerates as the game gets warmer.
A discovery of the 1978 National Academicals team, Kofi Badu joined Asante Kotoko in the same year and his contribution to the club’s successes has been immense.
Born on 29th September 1960 at Wiamoase, near Kumasi, Kofi Badu completed his secondary school education at Sekondi College where he was picked for the Academicals team. Not married. His
parents are Mr J.K. Badu, a carpenter and Madam Akua Afriyie a trader.
Table tennis and basketball are his hobbies and his ultimate in life is to become a successful
Businessman. His favourite player in Ghana is Papa Arko whom he refers to as ‘Bob Marlley’. Argentinian football star Maradona is his idol abroad. Ghana’s Afcon triumph in Libya is Kofi’s happiest moment in his football career and Asante Kotoko’s Kadiogo fiasco is his saddest.
John Abeka
Twenty-nine-year-old John Abeka, known for his antics in the posts, is the regular stand-in goalkeeper for Joseph Carr.
He has very good anticipation but appears to lack understanding with his defenders. On several occasions lack of cohesion between him and the rearguard have resulted in very bad goals.
Born at Cape Coast on 19th September 1963, Abeka took to active football after completing his Middle School education in 1974. He started with Cape Coast Venomous Vipers and shifted to Akotex before joining Kotoko in 1980.
His hobby is music and his ambition is to become a good professional footballer.
Joseph Carr is his favourite player in Ghana and Zico of Brazil is his idol abroad.
Abeka recalls that the day Kotoko won the Holy War Trophy against Great Olympics in Accra is his happiest moment and Kotoko’s 3-2 defeat at the hands of Semassi of Lome is his saddest. He was in the posts that day.
Abeka is not married but has one child, Nana Cole.
His parents are Mr Emmanuel Abeka, an electrician, and Madan Nana Esi, a trader.
HEARTS OF OAK 1985
Adolf Armah
Easily one of the most graceful midfielders Ghana has produced, 26-year-old Adolf was one of the most glittering stars who made Hearts such a powerful team in the late 70s.
In 1981 Adolf signed to play professional football and after a round trip to the Middle East, Egypt and Ivory Coast, he has returned home to help his mother club in her such for international honours.
Born in Accra on 12th April 1959 to Mr Frederick Armah and Alice Lamptey both business tycoons,
Adolf is married with one daughter.
His local idol is Abedi Pele and Tigana of France is his favourite player abroad. The other local team Adolf admires, apart from Hearts, is Sekondi Eleven Wise and Flamingo of Brazil is his idol club abroad.
Adolf recalls Hearts’ dramatic 3-0 victory over Mufulira Wanderers in 1977 as the most memorable in his career. His biggest disappointment was when Hearts lost the CAF cup final in Yaounde to Union Douala in 1979.
Table tennis and swimming are Adolf’s hobbies. The late Baba Yara was his football hero of childhood and Pele of Brazil is the person in the world he would like to meet.
Collins Kabina Paha
From a family of footballers comes Collins Kobina Paha affectionately called “Olu” for his strong and close marking.
The youngest of the famous Paha Brothers, P S.K and Isaac, 29-year-old Collins started serious football with the Dumas Boys of GTP before joining Hearts of Oak five years ago.
Born in Sekondi on 25th June 1955 to John Paha Snr, a paymaster of Ghana Railway Corporation, and Elizabeth Asmah, a trader, it was former national skipper Aggrey Fynn who inspired Collins to play football. Isaac Paha, the elder brother, is his favourite player in Ghana and Michel Platini, his idol Abroad.
Ipswich Town FC is Collins’ favourite team abroad and Sekondi Eleven Wise is his other favourite team in Ghana.
Collins recalls the last time Hearts were beaten by Arab Contractors in the Africa Cup Winners Cup as his biggest disappointment. He takes a lot of meat and his favourite pastime is going out after a hard won match.
Collins is married to attractive Ruth and the couple has two kids, George and Mildred.
Queen Elizabeth of England is one person in the world Collins would like to meet.
So cheers everybody and keep loving sports.
