Strangely, not many saw it coming or even had a hint of Sulley Ali Muntari relaunching his career in Ghana's elite division and with Accra Hearts of Oak. A one-time UEFA Champions League winner who has also collected domestic laurels in England and Italy- where he shone in his prime. To many, his mentality remained elite, even if he had been out of the game and had not won anything in a while.
Muntari's move to Hearts was reminiscent of that which took Asamoah Gyan, one of Muntari's contemporaries to another Ghanaian Premier League side, Legon Cities last year. Sadly, that spell didn't go half as well as either party envisaged and many predicated a similar tale for Muntari but his debut against Accra Great Olympics in matchday 16 of the league jolted many out of that thought and belief.
His last spell in the domestic league was with Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals over two decades ago. His arrival at Hearts certainly generated excitement. The Phobians hadn't signed a player of a higher profile in years or, even decades- but also legitimate doubts about what Sulley Muntari, one of the greatest midfielders in the Ghanaian game's modern history but who's sun was long set could offer.
This wasn't actually the first time the Ghanaian faithful were seeing top players who had carved a niche for themselves in Europe and had etched their names in Ghana's football folklore relaunching their careers with a local club. Muntari's own took an entirely a different twist with a player of his calibre and among the few Ghanaians to have won the Uefa Champions League, agreeing to rejoin the Ghana Premier League.
Previously, players like Laryea Kingston, Asamoah Gyan, Odartey Lamptey, Ransford Osei, Samuel Osei Kuffour (though he didn't feature in an official game), Baffour Gyan among others all at a point in their respective careers relaunched their careers in the Ghanaian topflight, where they first had the shinning spotlights.
Sulley Muntari ignored dollars and voluntarily played for the 'Phobians' without taking even a penny as salary, despite series of attempts from the club's Board Chairman Togbe Afede XIV to get him on his payroll.
The 37 year old since his arrival, despite his occasional business trips outside the country, sacrificed to contribute his quota, having featured in most of the matches especially in the second phase of the just-finished season and was crowned with a silverware with the Phobians successfully defending the FA Cup trophy they won last season.
On the pitch, he was a calm, positive and insightful presence and brought stability to the team. He topped it all with the invaluable experience gained from playing for top clubs in Europe, from which the younger players tapped. But while Muntari deserves immense credit for his work rate and performances even at his ripe 'old' age, his attitude was even more endearing.
Also, the 2008 English FA Cup winner starred in two out of three matches against bitterest rivals Asante Kotoko. He was very instrumental in the Phobians triumph over the Porcupine Warriors in the President's Cup, March this year - an impressive display which saw a huge campaign to get him back into the Black Stars for the World Cup playoff against Nigeria.
Muntari, in less than a full season, managed to add up two trophies to his collection. The season has ended and it is uncertain if the Ghanaian legend's bromance with the Phobians will continue next season since he has seen out his contract.
The joy in playing competitively again, the love from the fans and the GPL excitement is most likely to get the the former AC midfielder opt for another spell in the upcoming season.
By: Iddriss Abdul Rahim
