Here we are in 2022, and with the 2022 FIFA World Cup weeks away, we have a new breed of young Ghanaian superstars such as Mohammed Salisu, Kamaldeen Suleman and Mohammed Kudus hoping to etch their names in Ghana’s folklore in Qatar.
But despite the new, fresh faces, there are plenty of Ghanaian players that you may have forgotten represented their nation on the grandest stage once upon a time.
Here are 8 players who you may have forgotten represented Ghana at the World Cup finals:
Samuel Inkoom (South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014)
There was a time when Samuel Inkoom was ranked as one of the best right-backs on the continent, believe it or not. But his Ghana career was not as good as it perhaps should have been. It's fair to say Inkoom had a torrid time during both of the Black Stars’ previous World Cup finals appearances. Now with Accra Hearts of Oak, Inkoom has still not officially hung up his boots for Ghana, and would probably accept a call-up if it came.
Ahmed Issah (Germany 2006)
Issah represented Ghana at the 2006 World Cup, spending most of that time on the bench. The former Kotoko defender was a very good player, but he played in an era where Samuel Osei Kuffour, John Mensah, and Shilla Illiasu were all present, making it hard for this Ahmed Issah to make himself a regular.
Hans Sarpei (Germany 2006, South Africa 2010)
Sarpei made the left-back position his during his during his days with the Black Stars. The German-born Ghanaian played for VfL Wolfsburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke 04. He capped 36 times for the Black Stars and scored 1 goal.
Illiasu Shilla (Germany 2006)
At the time of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Illiasu Shilla was the best centre-back in Ghana’s topflight division, and the likes of Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko were desperate for his signature.
Kotoko won the race for his signature and roped him in as Issah Ahmed’s replacement. His consistent performances for the Porcupine Warriors were enough to convince Ratomir Djukovic for a place in Germany.
He replaced Samuel Osei Kuffuor after Ghana’s first game and partnered John Mensah at the heart of Ghana's defence.
Emmanuel Pappoe (Germany 2006)
Pappoe was Djukovic’s first option for the left-back role. Unfortunately for the former Liberty Professionals man, he had disastrous game against the Italians and was subsequently replaced by Habib Mohammed in Ghana’s subsequent games.
Habib Mohammed (Germany 2006)
One of the locally-based footballers to find themselves in Djukovic’s team, the former King Faisal Babes defender edged out Pappoe after Pappoe’s abysmal showing against Italy. He made the position when given the rare opportunity. Sadly, he lost his way into the Black Stars after the World Cup.
Razak Pimpong (Germany 2006)
The self-acclaimed scorer of important goals featured 10 times for the Black Stars and recorded a goal between 2002 and 2006.
Stephen Ahorlu (South Africa 2010)
Then playing for Kpando Heart of Lions, Ahorlu was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the Ghanaian league hence his inclusion in the Milovan Rajevac’s squad for the World Cup.
