Daniel Afriyie Barnieh's contract situation with Accra Hearts of Oak is much in the air and that will seriously worry the club who wouldn’t want to experience the departure of certain key players as was the case some seasons ago.
The forward is said to have already rejected an offer furnished him by the club and is asking for an improved offer which the club isn’t ready to meet. With the entrenched positions taken by both parties, it can only mean that the bromance between Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Accra Hearts of Oak is all but ended.
Barnieh joined the Phobians in 2019 from lower-tier side Madina Republicans. Throughout his stay with the Accra club, the fans roared the name of Daniel Afriyie Barniehwith unadulterated love. It isn't just his goals and assists that has endeared him to the fans but his wizardly on the ball and loyalty to the club that made him a fan favourite.
This year has seen Barnieh developed into one of the most exciting and most appreciated players in the Ghanaian top flight division. This is aptly corroborated by the player's involvement with Ghana's various national teams (Black Meteors, Black Galaxies and the Black Stars).
His improved performances for Hearts didn't go unnoticed as he was rewarded with a place in Otto Addo's Black Stars squad that represented Ghana at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
With uncertainties surrounding Daniel Afriyie Barnieh's contract extension, fans of the club are already questioning his loyalty to the club but how can a player be loyal to a club when a club interested in the player, have unlimited money at their disposal to double his wages with the mother club unwilling to do same?
In the club’s quest to return to winning ways, winning every trophy on sight as was the case in the early and mid- millennium, will it be prudent for the club let go of Daniel Afriyie Barnieh considering his quality as a player and how important he could be in helping the Phobians to realise their dream of restoring the lost glory?
By: Godfred Budu
