Ghana beat Nigeria 4-1 to win the 2017 WAFU tournament. PrimeNewsGhana takes a closer look at the players that did huge damage to Nigeria on the day.
GK. Joseph Addo is a former Ghana youth international and a reliable goalkeeper for Aduana Stars.
He has rich experience, having played for Sekondi Hasaacas, Heart of Lions and Asante Kotoko.
His ability to command defenders and aerial prowess makes him one of the safest pair of the hands on the local scene.
DF. Amos Frimpong plays as a right back for Kumasi Asante Kotoko. He is the general Captain of the Porcupines. Amos is arguably the best right back in the Ghana Premier League and is notable for his surging runs.
He scored 8 goals in the Ghana Premier League last year and is seen as a pillar in the Kotoko team. His leadership qualities are of a higher level.
DF. Thomas Abbey plays as an attacking midfielder for Accra Hearts of Oak. Abbey can play a number of positions including the left-back role which he played for Ghana in the WAFU tournament.
The Phobia skipper has been prolific this Premier League season and is currently the leading scorer with 13 goals. His fine performances
His fine performances has seen him pick up several man of the match awards.
DF. Vincent Atingah, strong, powerful and above all tactical discipline.
The Accra Hearts of Oak centre-back has won several battles with his opponents in the Ghana Premier League.
His intimidating stature is one that gives him an edge over his opponent.
Nearly transferred two seasons ago from the club, Atingah has now become a mainstay in the Hearts teams and can easily win the defender of the season in the Ghana Premier League.
He is also a specialist when it comes to taking penalties.
DF Samuel Sarfo, a Police Officer by profession, the Liberty Professionals defender has developed into one of the best in the country now.
His output this term has been tremendous and he got a call-up to the Black Stars for their two friendly matches against the USA and Mexico.
Sarfo has scored six goals for Liberty this season in the Ghana Premier League and his commanding display and formidable partnership with Atingah in the Black Stars B will go a long way to helping Ghana Football.
MF. Emmanuel Lomotey plays for newly promoted Ghana Premier League side Dreams FC.
The lanky midfielder was an ever imposing figure for the Black Stars B, breaking up play and distributing the ball accurately.
Lomotey won the man of the match award when Ghana beat Niger 2-0 in the tournament.
Lomotey’s hunger to play was enough as it contributed to Dreams FC qualifying for the Ghana Premier League with games to spare.
He recently signed for Spanish lower division side Extremadura UD on loan.
MF. Isaac Twum plays for Ghana Premier League side Inter Allies.
He was the Black Stars B captain for the WAFU tournament.
The defensive enforcer bossed the midfield and dictated the pace of Ghana’s games and thus was named player of the tournament.
Inter Allies should be scratching their heads by now as the former Hearts of Lions midfielder may be hard to keep after this superb performance in the WAFU.
MF. Gideon Waja is captain of West African Football Academy, his superb control of the ball and his vision to pick out his man is just out of the World.
Despite his small figure, the WAFA player is able to manoeuvre his way through defences and was very influential for the Black Star B.
He has received a call by Kwesi Appiah into the Black Stars after a good season with WAFA where they are aiming to win the League.
MF. Winful Cobbina known by many as the new “Charles Taylor”, skilful, swift, has great vision, he is everything a modern playmaker should be, Cobbina has been outstanding for Accra Hearts of Oak and will not be surprisedd to see foreign clubs fight for his signature.
He scored a thunderbolt 18-yard strike as Ghana beat Mali in the tournament and was instrumental throughout Ghana’s adventure.He scored Ghana’s 4th against Nigeria.
Cobbina is indeed turning out to be a gem in Ghana Football.
CF. Kwame Kizito, he was almost kicked out of Hearts of Oak as fans felt he was not good enough, Kizito has now turned the tables in his Football career and is now one of the first names on the Hearts team sheet.
Rejuvenated this season under Frank Nuttal and has made the striker spot his own.
Scored two goals in the run-up to the finals and his link-up play with the midfielders is just great.
He seems to improve in every game he plays whether for Black Stars B or Hearts of Oak.
CF. Stephen Sarfo is obviously the surprise package in this tournament, barely known by many fans in Ghana, the Berekum Chelsea Striker is now a household name, 4 goals in the tournament with two in the final saw him pick the golden boot.
The Chelsea forward has certainly earned the respect of many with his share determination to score in every game.
Sarfo may just have knocked on the doors of the senior national team.
MF. Patrick Razak came on for Gideon Waja, the Accra Hearts of Oak speedster is clearly an impact player, his pace, trickery and direct play was trouble for Nigeria as he won two penalties and assisted Cobbinah for Ghana’s 4th.
Coach Maxwell Konadu may find it hard not to start Razak should the Black Stars B engage in any game.
CF Felix Addo came on for Stephen Sarfo, the Elmina Sharks forward had little time to influence the game but was a real presence prior to the final, after assisting Stephen Sarfo in Ghana’s opening game against Guinea.
Coach. Maxwell Konadu former player of Kumasi Asante Kotoko and a Coach.
He has a rich vein of experience as he is a deputy Coach for the senior national team. He guided Kotoko to their 22nd Premier League title and has coached the Ghana U20 and 23 respectively.
