“Unbeatable Isaac Afful”, the phrase Samartex 1996 used to wax lyrical about their star defender who became the first ever Samartex player to get Black Stars call up.
Samartex continued, “Isaac Afful maintained his terrific and high-flying performance in the game against Vision FC at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena”.
“The left-back was captivating to watch in the game with his spectacular runs on the line as well as his ability to perform his core duty at the back.
“Afful’s performance was nothing short of the best, playing a crucial role in the opening goal before the break. He is considered as one of the best defenders in the league, known for his physicality, positioning and marking.
“He is extremely robust, smart, fast, agile and durable. He has excellent jump timing and excellent heading technique. He has a developed sense of the game, excellent perception of situations and timely response to what’s happening on the pitch”, the Timber Giants concluded.
It was Samartex’s first win of the season 2-1 (against Vision FC) after having a divided attention to the beginning of the 2024-25 season due to CAF Champions League Committment.
The Samraboi-based club faced newly promoted side Vision FC at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena. Vision posed so much threat and almost run away with a point from the dangerous Nsenkyire Sports Arena.
Isaac Afful has been talked about alongside Emmanuel Keyekeh, Dauda Seidu, Evans Osei Wusu and Baba Hamidu Issah as the core of Nurudeen Amadu’s incredible team that won the league.
Was it a PR work or Samartex were just being honest with the way the 25-year-old was described?
He was tipped to be included in the Black Stars the moment Otto Addo and his entourage started to monitoring him in Samartex’s Super Cup win over Nsoatreman in the season’s curtain raiser.
Is he the man to solve Ghana’s left back role?
Ghana’s major problem is the one to replace Asamoah Gyan. Away from that, left-back and right-back positions have been a major issue for Otto Addo especially the former.
Alidu Seidu and Tariq Lamptey are the right backs Otto Addo trusts. Gideon Mensah is the only left-back left since Baba Raman decided to not play for Ghana at the moment. Gideon Mensah missed Ghana’s games against Angola and Niger in September and Alidu Seidu played as a makeshift left back.
Against Angola, Luvumbo Zito made sure that Ghana must work on their left back position.
Former Asante Kotoko and Al Hilal left-back Ibrahim Imoro was supposed to be the next big thing but he’s nowhere to be found. Former Hearts of Oak defender Denis Korsah got his chance but couldn’t win Otto Addo’s heart.
Medeama’s Fatawu Hamidu was monitored for a while but it seems he is no more part of the plan forcing the technical team to look for a new left-back.
Isaac Afful of Samartex has been given a debut call up by Ghana and he is expected to solve some of the issues.
How victorious is Afful’s call up to the GPL?
It is so massive. The GPL has lost its credibility and excitement because of perennial financial issues. The only way to help it return to its halcyon days is to see the GPL stars getting call ups to the senior national team.
Already, Kotoko’s goalkeeper Fred Asare has been part of the team recently and now the former Skyy FC defender, Isaac Afful, is the next to join Otto Addo’s train.
Stephen Aopiah called for the inclusion of some of the local players in the Black Stars a couple of weeks ago. He is getting his wish but more of the local players are needed in the squad.
Which local player should be the next to be included?
Medeama’s defender, Kamaradini Mamudu needs no introduction to the GPL fans because he has proven to be a to player who can add a lot to the senior national team. He can play as a left-back or right-back.
Evans Adotey, head coach of Medeama during the post-match conference of Medeama’s 2-1 win in the CAF Champions League game against Algerian side Belouizdad confirmed that Kamaradini is a national asset and can play even as a midfielder. I wont be surprised to see him included in the Black Stars.
Ghana’s double header against Sudan is so crucial to the extent that a defeat in any of the games for Ghana can bring disaster. The quick fire format for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers can really expose anyside so Otto addo and his men must watch out for Sudan especially when they are led by the vast experienced James Kwesi Appiah, former head coach of Ghana.
The cities of Takoradi and Samraboi are celebrating and deserve to party all night long for Afful’s inclusion in the Black Stars.
