Nothing is more gratifying than seeing a hardworking young footballer rising through the ranks to the zenith of the sport. Few things excite and incite a fan more than charting the progress of a prodigy right from the neighborhood of nothingness through to the pinnacle of wealth and fame. It is quite fulfilling.
Drawing inspiration from the above, the Ghana Premier League 2017/18 season has only entered Week 13 and yet a host of talented youngsters have already established themselves as key cogs in their teams, while others are enjoying a fairytale campaign. It is fair to justifiably envisage that, it wouldn’t take too long a time for some of these wonderkids to make their mark on the global stage as superstars, hence it is worthwhile to keep an eye on these players as they soar from oblivion into prominence.
Now here’s a list of the TOP 20 TEENAGE WONDERKIDS in Ghana Premier League you shouldn’t miss out on their progress.
[Criteria: All teenagers in this list have performed creditably well this season and have made not less than 5 league appearances. They all turn 19 years or less by close of the calendar year]
Amate has been impressive this season featuring in 11 matches and scoring 2 goals. The telepathy between himself, Richard Danso and joint-league top-scorer Charles Boateng has been a sight to behold for fans.
19 HAMZAH ABDUL NASSIRU (INTER ALLIES – FORWARD – 16 YEARS
He scored the club’s fastest league goal under 30 seconds against Liberty last season and scored a total of 4 league goals. Fast and physically dominant against defenders, he has made 10 league appearances and enthralled fans at the Tema Sports Stadium with his effervescence.
18 PRINCE ASEMPA (BECHEM UNITED – GOA0LKEEPER – 18 YEARS)
The only goalkeeper in the list. Asempa has started 9 league games and carved a name for himself with his agility and bravado in goal, keeping 2 clean sheets in the process. His rise to fame two seasons ago when he won the FA Cup has been a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block to his progress.
The only player in the list yet to start a league game for his team. The JHS graduate scored 1 goal and provided 3 assists in his opening 6 league appearances. He scored a 30-yard bullet against Dreams FC. The left-footed attacking midfielder is a master of spraying the ball around.
16 SELASSIE BAKAI BLESSING (HEARTS OF OAK – FORWARD – 17 YEARS)
Promoted from the club’s famed academy Auroras, where he was extremely prolific, the young striker has kept his head high by scoring 1 goal from just 3 league starts and accumulating minutes from the bench under his belt in his debut topflight season.
15 MOHAMMED ZAKARI (INTER ALLIES – MIDFIELDER – 16 YEARS)
Signed by ProBall Management this season, Zakari who was promoted last season has been one of the best performers for the young Inter Allies side. He has shown his ability to ghost past defenders in 9 starts as he tirelessly mops up the midfield.
14 FARD IBRAHIM (INTER ALLLIES – DEFENDER – 18 YEARS)
The highly rated left-back is another product of the club’s academy, Accra Youth FC. Fard has played in 7 league games. He’s instrumental to the backline that is yet to concede a goal at home, starting in 4 of those 6 home games.
Owusu Ansah was promoted by Steve Pollack from the club’s dysfunctional youth system. Douglas, a workaholic box-to-box midfielder has made 5 league appearances including an impressive outing at Wa and a near perfect performance in the Super Clash against Hearts of Oak.
12 INUSAH ADAMS (WAFA SC – DEFENDER – 17 YEARS)
Recently completing his SHS program, the defender has built a strong reputation for himself as a tough tackling ball-playing center-back. Inusah, who studied Business in school has made 8 league appearances and has continued from where he left off last season.
11 DAVID ABAGNA SANDAN (WA ALL STARS – MIDFIELDER – 18 YEARS)
The winner of the prestigious Sports Writers’ MOST PROMISING PLAYER award has been the linchpin for All Stars since last season. He scored 13 league goals last year but has seen his overall contribution dwindle so much in a checkered side lying bottom on the log. He has 2 goals in 7 games.
Another gem languishing bottom on the log. Konda, a national U20 player is well known for his aggression. Though the season has been poor for the team, Konda and Moses Nyarko have largely impressed. Member of the triumphant team two seasons ago, Konda has made 9 appearances.
8 EDMUND ARKO-MENSAH (BEREKUM CHELSEA – DEFENDER – 16 YEARS) Undoubtedly the best loan signing of the season. The national U17 defender joined on a season-long loan deal from Wa All Stars. Arko-Mensah has played 8 times and looks primed for bigger things ahead every time he steps onto the pitch.
8 RICHARD DANSO (WAFA SC – FORWARD – 17 YEARS) Scoring 4 goals last season, Danso has recorded 3 goals in 12 matches this season. Taking up the mantle from Daniel Lomotey and Komlan Agbeniadan, he has impressed in the role with aplomb which has earned him a place in the national U20 team.
6 STEPHEN AMANKONA (BEREKUM CHELSEA – FORWARD – 18 YEARS) You’ll be pardoned to think Amankona is an older player. He has scored 3 goals in 10 appearances. Even at such a young age, Amankona who scored 3 goals last season has been made the club’s main striker in the absence of Stephen Sarfo. His hold-up play and ability on the ball speaks volume.
6 SHARANI ZUBERU (DREAMS FC – FORWARD – 18 YEARS) In 12 league games, Zuberu has scored 4 goals and has been the club’s main source of inspiration upfront. The nimble-footed forward encompasses pace, ability to shoot and good movement on-and-off the ball.
5 AMINU MOHAMMED (WAFA SC – FORWARD – 17 YEARS) His opening 3 league games yielded: 3 goals, 1 assist, 2 MVPs, Player-of-the-Month award and two freekick goals. Aminu was the toast of the league until injury plagued his campaign after 5 games. The former U17 star, on loan from Man City is currently recuperating in Spain.
4 GODFRED ASIAMAH (ASHGOLD – MIDFIELDER – 18 YEARS) The most underrated player in the league, Asiamah has been the heartbeat of AshGold midfield in the 9 matches he has played. The former New Edubiase midfielder and AIK trialist has used his versatility to lock down a spot; capable of playing both as a defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder. He won the MVP against Inter Allies.
3 IMORO IBRAHIM (KARELA UNITED – DEFENDER – 18 YEARS) The best left-back in the league by a good distance. Imoro has continued from where he left off last season with relegated Bolga All Stars. The defender has a knack for thunderous strikes with his left foot as he did against Kotoko. He also scored the winner against All Stars from the bench. On his day, relentless Imoro is a handful for opponents. He has played 11 games.
2 HAFIZ WONTAH KONKONI (BECHEM UNITED – FORWARD – 18 YEARS) 7 goals in 9 matches. Konkoni is the league’s joint top-scorer. The trained teacher is a prolific goal-scorer. Energetic and always battle-ready, Konkoni has embodied the style of his mentor, Ahmed Toure – and is the ultimate targetman currently in the league.
With 4 goals, Andoh is the brightest spot in a beleaguered Liberty side. Sleek on the ball and with an incredible passing range, Andoh has thrilled fans with his all-round performances from the heart of midfield. He also discharges his duty in defense quite well. A special talent he is. He’s the only player in the list to have started all 12 league games for his club. Liberty yet again, have another burgeoning star on their hands in the name of Brite Andoh.
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