Search for Finest 22 Ghanaian footballers begins
The Ghana@60 Planning Committee, in collaboration with Primeval Media Consult and FnB Media Consult, has begun the search for the best 22 players in the 60-year history of Ghana football.
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The search, christened Ghana's Finest 22, form part of Ghana's 60th independence anniversary celebrations and was launched yesterday at the Independence Arch in Accra with the unveiling of a 55-man shortlist of players.
According to the organisers, a five-man committee chaired by soccer historian Ken Bediako compiled the 55-man shortlist of top performers for the senior national team, Black Stars.
"We know this is a very important venture, especially for sports-loving Ghanaians, so we put together a committee of people who possess the historical knowledge," the CEO of FnB Consult, Mr Fiifi Banson, explained.
“Other members of the committee are former GFA chairman, Lepowura Alhaji M.N.D. Jawula, Kudjoe Fianoo, Karl Tuffuoh and Jeffrey Asare."
Mr Banson stated that two players would be selected for each position with the public voting for one through a universal mobile shortcode 1458, while the committee selects the other.
Included in the 55-man shortlist are goalkeepers Joe Carr, John Baker, Robert Mensah, Dodoo Ankrah and Richard Kingson; right fullback — Dan Oppong, Frank Amankwah, PSK Paha, EC Oblitey and Ben Kusi; left fullbacks — Hans Adu Sarpei, Ofei Ansah, Kwasi Appiah, Frank Crentsil and Isaac Asare; central defenders — Isaac Acquaye, Sampson Lamptey, Frimpong Manso, Awuley Quaye, Sammy Kuffour, Kuuku Dadzie, John Eshun, Addo Odametey, John Mensah and Dogo Moro.
The rest are midfielders Adolf Armah, Ibrahim Sunday, Joe Ghartey, Aggrey-Fynn, Michael Essien, Baba Yara, Osei Kofi, Yaw Sam, Ofei Dodoo, Christian Atsu, Dan Owusu, Emmanuel Quarshie, C.K Gyamfi, Jones Attuquayefio, Stephen Appiah and forwards Wilberforce Mfum, Edward Acquah, Opoku Afriyie, Anthony Yeboah, Asamoah Gyan, Abedi Pele, Opoku Nti, Kofi Badu, Abdul Razak, Kofi Pare, Mohammed Polo, Malik Jabir, Francis Kumi, Mohammed Salisu and C.K Akonnor.
Mr Banson stressed that the organisers would also honour the finest athletes and boxers, although those honours would not be voted for by the public.
The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Pius Hadzide, who officially launched the search, said his outfit was pleased with the decision of the organisers to honour Ghana's sporting heroes because it would serve as a motivation for the youth.