The AFCON 2023 is nearing its commencement, and with many of the league’s top stars enjoying stellar campaigns, social media has been rife with fans debating who should earn a call-up for next month's showpiece in Cote d'Ivoire.
Many names have been put forward by fans, however there is a small selection of players genuinely worthy of the recognition. Samartex SC's Emmanuel Keyekeh has carried his side throughout the season. Kotoko's Richmond Lamptey has been immense for the Porcupine Warriors. Hearts' Salifu Ibrahim is another contender for his splendid displays for the Phobians.
However, there is one man whose contributions have been so immense, he is simply too difficult to overlook- and his name is Manaf Umar. Whilst Umar was expected to have a positive effect on Nsoatreman's midfield this term, nobody could have anticipated the sheer magnitude of his impact.
Manaf Umar is impenetrable; a rapid-fire rifle footballer- Sergio Busquet’s body with Andres Iniesta’s consciousness uploaded. But it is not because the former RTU midfielder has been comfortingly consistent this campaign that he deserves a place in Chris Hughton's AFCON squad- it is because this is his defining campaign: one in which no one has been near his level.
The statistics tell half the story. 6 goals and 3 assists in 14 league appearances is his best return yet, but the manner in which the midfielder has taken to leading Nsoatreman SC is at an unparalleled level right now. Umar is a very specific genre of footballer – the latest in a long line of “Sod it, I’ll do it myself” midfielders, imbued with game-changing talent and high-octane work-rate in equal abundance.
There’s something about that kind of player that we really take to, on these shores; this season, he’s eclipsed Abass Samari's efforts last campaign, he’s been better than Salifu Ibrahim, Richmond Lamptey, Emmanuel Keyekeh, even Emmanuel Annor or Jean Vital Ourega. And it's telling that the man’s only criticism is that he plays football like a robot; that watching Nsoatreman under Maxwell Konadu is like reading a book written by predictive text. It's a nitpick at best.
The Black Stars setup tends to favour those who play for the big names; Arsenal, West Ham etc. But Umar has a lot to offer. It may not be the glitz or glam provided by Majeed Ashimeru and Samed Abdul Salis, who are established names in the Black Stars setup, but under the tutelage of Konadu at Nsoatreman, Umar has the potential to prove his worth at the highest level.
The intelligent Umar may not make the headlines like Salifu Ibrahim and Richmond Lamptey but discount his importance at your peril as he has been pivotal to the progress and uptick in Nsoatreman’s form since his arrival from RTU.
His impressive avoidance of injury shows him to be a professional in every sense of the word, a reliable midfielder who deserves the acclamation like many of his colleagues playing for the big names receive.
Manaf Umar himself is not much of a personality in terms of ego, arrogance or brilliant flashes of skill, but more of a player that quietly and confidently goes about his work.
An international appearance would be a heart-warming patter for Manaf Umar. Technically excellent and difficult for opposing midfielders to catch with or without the ball, he will surely be difficult to oust from the team once granted an opportunity with the Black Stars.
