After the conclusion of weekend games across the globe, Ghana’s leading football website, GHANASoccernet.com bring to you our maiden best 11 Ghanaian players in the various leagues.
Swansea City live-wire Jordan Ayew, Red Star Belgrade marksman Richmond Boakye-Yiadom and red-hot sensation Joseph Paintsil hogged the headlines in an impressive cast for Ghanaian super stars over the weekend.
Formation: 4-4-2
Adam Kwarasey (Valenranga- Norway)
Kwarasey was not made to work hard enough between the sticks as Valeranga soundly defeated Aalesund 5-1. Despite not having enough to deal with, anytime he was called upon, he delivered. After a difficult start to his return to Norway, Kwarasey has become Rony Deila’s number one man.
Samuel Mensah (Ostersunds-Sweden)
Mensah played a good game at right-back against Aalesund, one of the shining lights on Ostersunds side. The 28-year-old’s position in the team is without a doubt following high level performances since the start of the campaign. In the win against Aalesund, Mensah surged forward when needed and his tactical awareness came to bare when he cleared the ball off his line, with their goalkeeper clearly beaten.
Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus-Italy)
I don’t often select defenders on losing side’s but this week I have to make an exception. It is gradually becoming accustomed that Asamoah comes into Juventus line up when they have a UEFA Champions League game in sight. Nonetheless, Asamoah always gives a 100% performance when needed by coach Maximiliano Allegri. Against Lazio, the whole of Bianconeri set up performed poorly on the night, but Asamoah stood up, with his usual marauding runs and tireless work.
Joseph Attamah (Istanbul Basaksiher- Turkey)
He was the leader when Basaksiher defeated Alanyaspor 2-1. His defensive alertness was of great importance in keeping Alanyaspor’s striker in check. Superb in tackles and turned at every set piece against the opponent, he was pillar at back and he did it with great aplomb.
Kennedy Boateng (Reid- Austria)
This Boateng’s maiden appearance in my team of the week but his performances for the Austria Bundesliga II side has not short of excitement. The former WAFA guardsman is the only player in the Reid team to have tasted every minute of action this season. His tactical awareness and discipline at the back made him a stand out player on the afternoon as he dealt neatly with every threat BW Linz posed to his side.
Alfred Duncan (Sassuolo-Italy)
The left footed central midfielder was one of the main reasons Sassuolo came out of the clash with Chievo Verona unscathed. Duncan covered every blade on the grass with his runs and tenacious play. He showed great composure anytime he ventured forward and by the same token, his defensive discipline was hum hum throughout the match.
Godfred Donsah (Bologna-Italy)
Donsah put in a good shift against SPAL, breaking up play, shielding Bologna’s defense and setting up the tempo for his teammates. It’s not surprising that top teams in the championship are still lurking to pounce on him in the January transfer window.
Jordan Ayew (Swansea City-England)
The former Olympique Marseille’s forward has been the Swans most important player this season, and it is by no fluke when you watch him in action. Against Huddersfield, Jordan took the decisions on the pitch but his work ethos was magnificent. He influenced play form the flanks with his dribbles and work rate. It’s a real shame that he didn’t register his name on the score sheet as his looping ball was tapped in by Tammy Abraham into a yawning net.
Ernest Asante (FC Nordsjaelland-Denmark)
Full of pace throughout the game, great engine and good technique, it was clearly obvious when they named him as MOTM. So many things stood out for him in the 3-2 win against Randers FC: He was active with his trademark runs and attacking intent. He capped his fine afternoon with a super-strike, which took his tally of the campaign to 12th goals.
Joseph Paintsil (Ferencvarosi-Hungary)
Paintsil has taken the Hungarian top flight league by storm and he’s showing no sign of slowing anytime soon. This is the 19-year-old’s second appearance in my team of the week and I don’t expect it to be the last due to the rate at which he comes to the fore week in- week out. Paintsil was unplayable against Puskas Academy and they manner in which he took his goal was underlines what this lad could do.
Richmond Boakye-Yiadom (Red Star Belgrade-Serbia)
Boakye-Yiadom is truly the heir to Asamoah Gyan’s throne. Yiadom’s mental toughness stood out for when I was selecting my team of the week. Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce once revealed that he purchased Asamaoh Gyan because of his mental toughness after he boldly stepped up to score in the shootouts defeat against Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa when he had spurned a great chance in regulation time to put Ghana into the semifinal stage of the competition.
This scenario juxtaposed with Yiadom’s mental fortitute on Saturday against Macva Sabac, where he missed an early minute penalty before coming up with stupendous goal in his side’s 4-0 win. The goal has striker’s instinct written all over it. He used good body strength to cleverly poke the ball into the net. Yiadom was also immense with his movement, hold up play and a real menace to Macva Sabac’s defenders.