Just because a club is struggling for survival doesn't mean it lacks prize footballing assets. In fact, several teams stuck in the mire have players who could easily play a part for the very best in the division—some from a starting role, others perhaps in a more rotational one.
There are eight clubs who you can argue are in the mix: anyone from Tamale City (11th on 39 points) down is currently under severe pressure to get points on the board in their quest for survival. The further down you go, the more desperate the need is.
In building this list, we had to omit some excellent players who have serious cases to be on here. It speaks to the top-down quality of the league that there were so many, another list of 11 could easily be constructed.
Here, we've built a list of 11 such individuals.
Samuel Abbey Ashie Quaye (Great Olympics)
The versatile Abbey Quaye is like that one firework at New Year’s Eve that continues to pop off even after you think it’s ran its course. At any given moment, he can shoot off to the left, to the right or down the middle, with frightening pace and an air of unpredictability that makes him such a joy to watch. Whether it’s beating his man, finding the pockets of space, linking up with teammates from wide areas or caressing the ball into the far corner, he can do the lot.
Francis Andy Kumi (Kotoku Royals)
Francis Andy Kumi career started off like so many others. He was a hot prospect after breaking through at lower-tier side Unistar Academy, but a switch to Asante Kotoko SC just didn't work out.He had shown flashes of excitement, but rarely had fans off their seats. Now the fulcrum of the Kotoku Royals team. He has scored 9 goals for the Royals since joining them in the second half of the season.
Sampson Eduku (Tamale City)
Eduku has been a bright spark since his arrival in Tamale. With 14 goals, Eduku is gunning for the top scorer award. He stretches defences with his tireless running and movement. Though he still misses a lot of chances, Eduku has worked very hard to get into great positions and has ensured that he improves his efficiency in front of goal, which can be seen from his goalscoring record. He is a great operator at this level and will no doubt be one of the first players out the door if the club drop down a division.
Abdul Latif (King Faisal)
His selfless attitude and ability to move around the pitch have seen him become one of the most sought-after defensive midfielders in the league.
His ability to disrupt the play and launch attacks has become a feature of the King Faisal side. Latif’s nimble frame perhaps lures opponents into a false sense of security; the truth is he was one of the most combative and tireless midfielders you are likely to see in the Ghanaian topflight.
Walid Fuseini Neymar (Nsoatreman)
Competent at controlling the game from deep or bursting forward into more advanced positions, he continues to blossom in the Nsoatreman jersey despite his club’s downward spiral.
With his reading of the game, reliability in possession and ability to resist an opposition press still up there with the very best in the division. Then there's his passing. Outside of the foot, inside of the foot, short or long, it really doesn't matter. You know as soon as the ball leaves his foot it's finding its intended target.
Augustine Randolf (Karela United)
Intelligence has become a key feature of Randolf’s forward-thinking game, knowing exactly when to hold his position and when to make lung-bursting 50-yard dash into the final third.
This has helped him become a mainstay in a listless Karela United’s side. Defensively, he remains an awesome proposition, one that all managers would love to have in their team. Solid, dependable, positionally he is excellent, always the correct distance from his colleagues and opponent.
David Oppong Afranie (King Faisal)
He is very strong, good in the air and thrives on closely man- marking the opponent and using his reading of the game to outwit opposing attackers, but he also knows when to get stuck in, also adept to using his body to shield the ball away from danger and also make powerful recovery when required.
He never allows his opponents an easy passage to meander into the space surrounding him, and wreak havoc. However, when they did obtain possession in close proximity to him, he pounces like a hungry lion to bring the pressure.
Ali Huzaif (Dreams FC)
The young forward is an exciting prospect who has the potential to have a prosperous career. With pace and trickery in his locker, there are clubs always crying out for talent such as his to bolster their forward line. He certainly has the attributes to entice a club that were to be promoted to the top flight and also those who are looking to strengthen the depth of their squad.
Sylvester Simba (Dreams FC)
The 21-year-old has been one of the few positives of a bleak season for Dreams FC and we already know that a lot of clubs are tracking his progress. With versatility in abundance due to the various roles he's played in his previous clubs, all that experience has weaved together to form the perfect package; the perfect amalgamation of mental, technical and physical attributes.
Able to control the tempo of matches, dig his heels in and defend when required, but also provide the eye-of-the-needle pass forward that starts (or finishes) an attack.
Emmanuel Antwi (Great Olympics)
Watch himself closely at the stadium, and you can appreciate the space Antwi covers, the possession he regains and the niggling challenges he is able to execute; on TV, it is remarkable how often a ball is cleared from the opponents’ penalty area, only for Olympics’ 19-year-old midfielder to arrive from out of shot and keep his side on the front foot.
Benjamin Asiedu (King Faisal)
Asiedu has made some incredible stops this year as his team have struggled to make an impact in the league, and given his performances in the league and the FA Cup, he has the tools to become one of the best shot-stoppers in the country. There will definitely be clubs lining up for his services.
