As a footballing nation, Ghana is a country that has produced several football legends who thrived in the continental and international scale. These ten Ghanaian players have excelled in the game and made waves worldwide, with their exploits bestowing them their legendary status. They include:
1. Abedi Pele
Arguably the best footballer that has ever risen from Ghana, Abedi Pele is among the greatest footballers in the history of African football. Pele took the award for the best player in Africa on three consecutive occasions, starting from 1991 to 1993. He was famous in the French Ligue 1 while playing for Lille and Marseille, helping the latter win the 1993 UEFA Champions League competition.
2. Anthony Yeboah
Former Ghanaian striker, Anthony Yeboah is known as one of the most prolific goal scorers in the African football history. Yeboah gained his reputation for scoring spectacular games, often making headlines and included in Goal of the Month/ Season competitions. He is most noted in Europe for playing in clubs like Hamburger SV and Leeds United during the 1990s.
3. Michael Essien
Currently among the best Ghanaian midfielder’s worth following when betting on the Azerbaijan Premier League with Betway Ghana, Michael Essien is a real star. Essien launched his career with the local side Liberty Professionals, before playing for major teams like Chelsea, Milan, Real Madrid, and Lyon. You can bet on these teams at the Betway sports bookie.
4. Asamoah Gyan
Asamoah Gyan is a household name in African football and internationally. Gyan managed to feature in 108 international matches during his career, earning many trophies and awards. In 2014, he managed to take the BBC Africa Footballer of the Year award following his displays in UAE where he won three league titles with three years (2012 to 2015)
5. Ibrahim Sunday
The former captain of the Asante Kotoko in Kumasi, Ibrahim Sunday, helped the team win their first-ever CAF Champions League. He was crowned as the 1971 African Footballer of the Year and was the first-ever African player to feature in the Bundesliga after moving to Werder Bremen in 1971.
6. Stephen Appiah
As Ghana’s captain during their 2006 World Cup debut, Stephen Appiah is regarded as one of the greatest captains that the country has ever had. Appiah made his name on the international scale while playing for Juventus, and he was also part of the 2010 Ghana World Cup squad.
7. Karim Abdul Razak
Popularly known as the Golden Boy, Karim Abdul Razak is remembered for helping Ghana win the 1978 AFCON competition, where he was named as Africa’s Footballer of the year. Razak also played for the local side Asante Kitoko and other clubs in Ivory Coast and Egypt.
8. Samuel Kuffour
Samuel Kuffuor is among the best Ghanaian defenders of all time, known for his immense physical power. Kuffuor is celebrated for his time in Bayern Munich, where he played with them for over a decade, winning 14 titles in over 200 matches.
9. Mohammed Ahmed Polo
Mohammed Polo, Popularly called the “Dribbling Magician,” is arguably the most technically skilled player that Ghana has ever produced. He was in the squad that won the 1978 AFCON competitions held in Ghana, after being named best footballer in the country in 1975.
10. Anthony Bafoe
A diplomat’s son, Anthony Bafoe, grew in the west German city of Bonn, making a name for himself in the Bundesliga. Before became a real crowd favorite during the 1980s while playing for Fortuna Dusseldorf and FC Koln.