Ghana Premier League

The forced holiday period is over, match venues are ready, coaches have their team set for a marathon season, players are ready to treat fans to sweet football.

With the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League set to kick off this weekend we bring to you some players who look set to make the season a very memorable one.

Some of the players will be tasting elite club football for the first time with some being good dogs who wish to rekindle their careers.

The local scene has been stereotyped to be bereft of talents but upcoming season promises to disprove this stereotype that has been keeping fans away from the various match venues.

We take you through a few players to watch this season

Akwesi Donsu – Medeama

Born and raised in Siakwa in the Brong Ahafo region, he began his professional at Berlin FC in Berekum (the club that discovered Agyemang Badu).

He traded Berekum for the mining township of Tarkwa where he signed for Medeama SC.

Akwasi Donsu took time to find his feat which his appearance limited to the Cup competitions.

That was a blessing in disguise, the young midfielder took the FA Cup by storm scoring 6 goals, of which 5 were in the last 3 games as Medeama won the trophy for the 2nd time in three seasons.

When WAFA were outplaying Medeama in the quarter finals with the result still at one all, the young midfielder rose to the occasion to net 2 direct free kicks which took the Mauves to the semi final booking a date with Hearts Of Oaks.

Like a scripted movie Donsu proved to be the hero once again netting a brace against the’ Oak Tree’ at the Robert Mensah Stadium to send Tom Strand’s side to the grand finale. Akwasi Donsu’s romance with the FA Cup competition ought to have ended on a high, exactly it ended.

The young lad played like he was possessed by football demons helping his team to beat the Porcupine Warriors by two goals to one, with his name on the score sheet. If any player is going to wow fans this season, my bet is on Akwasi Donsu.

Bennett Ofori

Berekum Ronaldo, a nick name he earned during his days at Berekum Senior High School.

Bennett Ansu Ofori broke into the local scene as a teenager for Berekum Arsenals where he showed glimpses of his talent, treating fans to fancy tricks and show boating just like a young Cristiano  Ronaldo.

He moved to rivals Berekum Chelsea when Arsenals got relegated after the 2012/13 season. At the Blue half of Berekum he quickly became the fan belt tearing fullbacks apart with his pace and tricks at both wings. His talent came to full display with emergence of Berekum Chelsea’s strike duo of Stephen Baffour and Kofi Owusu who together scored a combined goals of 30 with Ofori as the main creative force behind them.

The nimble footed  winger is now at a bigger club with a bigger expectation. All he needs to do is add efficiency to his game like his mentor Ronaldo did when he traded his fancy tricks for goals and assist during his formative years at Manchester United.

Enoch Atta Agyei – Medeama from Windy Pros 

At 17, with no top flight experience yet dreaming about a Black Stars call up. He is no stranger to followers of the second-tier of Ghana football as he was awarded the most promising player of the 2014/15 National Division One League playing for Windy Professionals.

Medeama SC were smart to sign him up before his name started dominating the main stream media. The Tarkwa Mauves are noted for their attacking brand of football and Coach Tom Strand will have for himself a technically gifted player who fits precisely into his game plans. Now a rough diamond, under the tutelage of Tom Strand his Black Stars dream will soon become a reality.

Samudeen Ibrahim – Hearts Of Oaks

The 19 year old sensation was scouted by the then Sekondi XI Wise manager Nana Kwaku Agyemang at Nungua town park playing colt football. Life at XI Wise didn’t go as planned for the then 12 years old boy who had to say good bye to his parents moving to a different city with a different culture. He became home sick making his stay at the club very short. Few years later he was seen in the colours of King Solomon FC in the Division One League.

The attacking midfielder was adjudged the best player in the 2015/16 Division One League beating competitions from Joel Fameye and Enoch Atta Agyei. He won the most valuable player  8 times, scoring 4 and assisting over 20 goals. He is everything the Phobia boys need to start their rebuilding process. Saamu, as we affectionately call him, is on his way to becoming the new Charles Taylor for glorious Hearts Of Oaks.

Latif Blessing – Liberty Professionals

Joel Fameye – Wa All Stars

Dauda Mohammed – Asante Kotoko

 Nuhu Fuseini

Yahaya Mohammed – Aduana Stars