10 Most Talented Ghanaian Players Who Should Have Been Very Successful Abroad
- Despite their immense talent, these Ghanaian players struggled to make a significant impact in foreign leagues
- Each player excelled in the Ghana Premier League, winning individual accolades and leading their clubs to success
- Various factors such as limited opportunities prevented them from reaching their full potential internationally
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Ghana has produced a wealth of footballing talent, with many leaving a significant impact on domestic football. However, not all of them were able to achieve the same success on the international level.
Although players like Abedi Ayew, Michael Essien, Tony Yeboah, Sulley Ali Muntari, Sammy Kuffour, and others had successful careers in European football, there were also some exceptional Ghanaian talents who never quite shined beyond the country's borders.
Source: Getty Images
Here are ten exceptionally talented Ghanaian players who should have achieved greater success in Europe and abroad than they did.
1. Opoku Afriyie
A prolific forward for both Asante Kotoko and the Black Stars, Opoku Afriyie played a key role in Ghana's 1978 AFCON victory, netting two goals in the final against Uganda. Despite his exceptional talent and goal-scoring ability, his career was mostly limited to Ghana, preventing him from making a mark in Europe.
It is regrettable to note the goal machine, Golden Boot winner of the 1981 Ghana Premier League with 21 strikes, failed to earn a move to the biggest football destinations.
2. Dan Owusu
Dan Owusu, a three-time Ghana Premier League Golden Boot winner with Boafoakwa Tano, was a deadly goal scorer. His knack for consistently finding the net should have secured him a place in a top European league, yet he never had the opportunity to display his skills on a larger stage.
The iconic Owusu, who recently claimed he scored over 100 undocumented GPL goals, made name as the finest offensive midfielder in the country during his playing days.
3. Ishmael Addo
Ishmael Addo was an exceptional goal scorer for Hearts of Oak, winning the GPL Golden Boot three times, a joint-record he shares with Dan Owusu.
His achievements with the Phobians, including their iconic CAF Champions League victory in 2000, established him as a highly regarded forward. However, his time playing abroad in France and Israel fell short of expectations and did not showcase his full potential.
4. Charles Taylor
Charles Taylor, a talented playmaker celebrated for his dribbling and vision, was a fan favorite at both Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, as well as with the Black Stars of Ghana.
He was a dominant force in the Ghanaian league but faced challenges in replicating his form when playing overseas. Many believe his career could have reached new heights had he moved to a more competitive league during his prime.
5. Bernard Don Bortey
Known for his dead-ball prowess and flair, Bernard Bortey was a key figure in Hearts of Oak’s dominance in the mid 2000s.
His knack for delivering moments of brilliance made him one of the most exciting players in the league. However, limited opportunities abroad prevented him from reaching his full potential outside of Ghana. Bortey was known for his clever dribbling and exceptional free-kick ability, often scoring stunning long-range goals.
6. Sammy Adjei
Sammy Adjei was once Ghana’s first-choice goalkeeper and played a pivotal role in Hearts of Oak’s treble-winning season in 2000. During his prime, he was widely considered one of the top goalkeepers in Africa.
However, his stint abroad, especially, didn’t meet expectations, and he returned to Ghana without leaving a notable mark on the international scene.
Source: Getty Images
7. Emmanuel Osei Kuffour
Known as the "General," Osei Kuffour was a commanding presence in Ghanaian football. His leadership, adaptability, and goal-scoring prowess made him a crucial player for clubs such as Hearts of Oak, Asante Kotoko, and Ashantigold.
Despite his exceptional talent, his career overseas fell short of expectations, and he never had the opportunity to fully display his skills at a top club.
8. Eric Bekoe
Eric Bekoe had a sensational 2007/08 season, finishing as the top scorer of the GPL with 17 goals for Asante Kotoko who won the title under Bashiru Hayford.
His performances led to a transfer to Egypt, where he excelled at Petrojet. However, Eric Bekoe's talent warranted a larger platform, but various circumstances held him back from realizing his full potential.
9. Emmanuel Clottey
Emmanuel Clottey was a standout player for Berekum Chelsea in the 2012 CAF Champions League, impressing many with his goal-scoring ability and earning the top scorer award that season with 12 goals.
Despite a short spell in Tunisia with Espérance, his career didn’t reach the lofty expectations many had, and he was unable to establish himself as a prominent figure in European football.
10. Shaibu Yakubu
In the early 2000s, Shaibu Yakubu was regarded as one of the most promising strikers in Ghana, with many even claiming he was better than Asamoah Gyan.
A product of Ashantigold, he had the talent and goal-scoring ability to succeed internationally, but he never reached the highest level, quickly fading into obscurity after netting 13 goals to secure the 2003 Ghana Premier League top scorer title. Although he played for smaller clubs in Turkey and Greece, Yakubu's true potential was never fully realized in mainstream European football.
These players had the ability to become global football stars, but for various reasons, such as limited opportunities, injuries, or poor career choices, they didn’t fulfill their potential on the international stage. Nonetheless, their legacy in Ghanaian football endures, and they are still celebrated for their contributions to the sport.
Most impactful Ghanaian football figures
YEN.com.gh earlier reported the 11 most significant people in Ghana's football history of all time, featuring trailblazers like Kwame Nkrumah, Abedi Ayew, and more.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
