Ghana Premier League 2021 Team of the year
It has been another hugely entertaining year in the Ghana Premier League.
Hearts of Oak won the Premier league title, the first time since 2009. Liberty Professionals suffered relegation, ending their 22 years stay in the league.
Ebusua Dwarfs and Inter Allies as well suffered relegation, whiles Bibiani Gold Stars, Accra Lions and Real Tamale United (RTU) secured promotion.
So with all that, well, we take a look at MahamaShaibu.com’s 2021 Premier League team of the year.
1. Goalkeeper: Richard Attah – Hearts of Oak
Safe pair of hands. Richard Attah was fantastic for Hearts of Oak throughout the year. The 26-year old kept 13 clean sheets in 22 games for the Phobians, conceding just 11 goals. Richard Attah’s performances earned him a place in the Black Stars.
2. Right back: Mohammed Fatawu – Hearts of Oak
Remarkable year for Mohammed Fatawu. The Hearts of Oak skipper led his side to win the Premier League title for the first time since 2009. His consistent performances for the Phobians earned him his maiden Black Stars call-up and an appearance against South Africa in the World Cup qualifiers. Fatawu in the course of the year featured in 34 of the 36 games Hearts of Oak played.
3. Center back: Ismail Ganiyu – Asante Kotoko
Not the turnout Asante Kotoko wanted for the year 2021. The Porcupine Warriors after a decent start to the year watched their rivals Hearts of Oak stroll to their 21st Premier League title. Howbeit, Ismail Ganiyu was consistent for the Reds throughout the year, making 35 appearances and failing to complete just 2 of those games. Ismail Ganiyu scored 5 goals throughout those games, the most by a center back.
4. Center back: Mohammed Alhassan – Hearts of Oak
Easily one of the most underrated players in the Premier League. Mohammed Alhassan was fantastic and consistent for Hearts of Oak as they won their first league title in over a decade. The lanky center back featured in 32 of the 36 games Hearts of Oak played in the year, helping them keep 16 clean sheets.
5. Left back – Denis Korsah – Ebusua Dwarfs
Didn’t play in the Premier League throughout the year, but it’s hard to think of any left back who was more influential than Korsah in the course of the year. The left back played in 26 games for Dwarfs and scored 5 times, scoring against Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko. Korsah as well picked up 3 man of the match awards.
6. Defensive midfield: Benjamin Afutu – Hearts of Oak
Just like Denis Korsah, Benjamin Afutu didn’t play in the Premier League throughout the year but with the time he played, he made a huge impact as Hearts of Oak stroll to their first league title since 2009. Afutu from his defensive midfield role scored 4 goals and won the man of the match award on 2 occasions.
7. Central midfield: David Abagna – RTU/AshantiGold
The team of the year without David Abagna? That would have been a crime. Abagna in the year played for AshantiGold and Real Tamale United (RTU) and was superb for both clubs. The midfielder who recently earned his debut call-up to the Black Stars for the 2021 African Cup of Nations made 33 league appearances for the two teams and scored 15 times, the most goals scored by a player in the calendar year.
8. Right wing: Daniel Afriyie – Hearts of Oak
Daniel Afriyie didn’t have the best of starts to the year. The former Black Satellites skipper missed most parts of the start of the year due to international assignment. The youngster picked up in March and was nearly unplayable. He scored 5 goals, including 1 in the game against Asante Kotoko. He as well provided 4 assists and won the man of the match award on 2 occasions.
9. Left Wing: Zubairu Ibrahim – King Faisal
What a year it has been for Zubairu Ibrahim. The youngster took the Premier League by storm, helping King Faisal defy all odds to avoid relegation in the 2020/21 football season. Zubairu in the year was involved in 27 league games for the InshaAllah boys, scoring 12 goals, with 4 of those goals coming against rivals Asante Kotoko.
10. Center forward: Maxwell Abbey Quaye – Great Olympics
Remarkable year for Maxwell Abbey Quaye. The Great Olympics forward was like a Thorne in the flesh of defenders. In the calendar year, Maxwell Abbey made 28 appearances and scored 14 times, with 2 of those goals coming against rivals Hearts of Oak. Abbey’s performance didn’t go unnoticed as he was rewarded with a place in Ghana’s squad for the 2021 African Cup of Nations.
11. Center forward: Diwiasie Taylor – Karela United
Just like Denis Korsah and Benjamin Afutu, Diwiasie Taylor didn’t play in the Premier League throughout the year. The clinical forward after the end of the 2020/21 season secured a move outside the country. Nevertheless, Taylor made a great impact during his time in the league. He made 25 appearances and scored 15 goals, averaging a goal every 150 minutes. Taylor won the golden boot award with 18 goals and was also named player of the month of January.
Player of the year: Daniel Afriyie – Hearts of Oak
Not the player with the most goal contributions in the year, but Daniel Afriyie’s effectiveness for Hearts of Oak goes beyond goals and assists, his ability to dribble and draw defenders out of their position made things happen for his peers as Hearts of Oak stroll to their first league title in over a decade. Afriyie contributed 5 goals and 4 assists to the feat. He was as well named 2021 local player of the year at SWAG awards.
Manager of the year: Samuel Boadu – Hearts of Oak/Medeama
Samuel Boadu started the year as manager of Medeama, but he switched camp in March. He joined Hearts of Oak and led the Phobians to their first league title in over a decade. Samuel Boadu was named manager of the month in May and June. He was also named NASCO manager of the season and best manager at the Ghana football awards, making him our coach of the year.
Team of the year: Hearts of Oak
Not hard to pick, Hearts of Oak is our team of the year. The Phobians won their first league title in over a decade. In the course of the year, Hearts of Oak played 36 league games, won 21 of those games, drew 12 times and lost 6 times.
MahamaShaibu.com
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