With Fatawu Mohammed’s departure, the Phobians have only Samuel Inkoom and newly-signed youngster Kwabena Anane as the club’s only right-backs. Having seen Christopher Nettey snapped by city rivals Accra Great Olympics, the Phobians are back to square on in search for a new right- back.
So, to give the Phobians a hand in their hunt for a new right-back, we decided to draw up a shortlist of options they could target this January.
Augustine Randolf (Karela United)
We’re starting off as strong as possible here. Randolf would be an absolute marquee signing for Hearts if they could tempt him away from Karela United. Randolf has established himself as one of the best right-backs of the premier league era. A class act going forward, solid defensively, Randolf has it all.
His impressive performances for club and country this season have seen his stock rise ever further. He's still only 21 years old, but has already shown himself capable of dealing with the demands of competing in the Premier League week in, week out.
The young defender’s long-term future at Karela United is uncertain - would the club really turn down a handsome wad of cash given the fact that they are struggling financially? Probably not. Oh, and Hearts have long been mooted as a potential destination.
Ibrahim Issa (Accra Lions)
Intelligence has become a key feature of Issa’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 Accra Lions' 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. But, Issa would command a hefty old salary, and is unlikely to be content alternating with Inkoom for the starting right-back spot.
Baba Kushibo (RTU)
Kushibo is sturdy in defence, offering immense physical presence and pace when retreating towards his own goal. He is most in his element when flying towards the oppositions' final third, though.
Blessed with the killer instinct of any top forward, Kushibo charges into the box, assaulting the far post as he thunders past his marker to crash the ball into the net. The first thing you inevitably notice when watching him play for 20 seconds is his pace.
There are very few players in the country who can time a tackle as well as Koshibo, and he’s not too shabby going forward either; just ask any right-back in the league. An inverted full-back - which suits Matic down to the ground - Koshibo loves coming into the half-spaces and delivering devastating early crosses into the box. He could be a revelation in Accra.
