It has been a very eventful year in football, and the numerous Ghanaian players across the globe were equally not left out.
From the Premier League to Serie A to Ligue 1 to La Liga, Ghana is blessed to have had players featuring in all these major European leagues.
It is, therefore, only appropriate that we acknowledged the players who performed creditably in the year under review.
As we draw the curtain down on the year, Pulse Sports chronicles the top seven Ghanaian footballers of the year 2019:
1. Mukarama Abdulai
Mukarama Abdulai emerged on the scene in 2018 following her explosive performances at the U-17 Women’s World Cup (WWC).
The 17-year-old scored seven goals at the tournament, eventually scooping the Golden Shoe and the Bronze Ball.
Mukarama continued with her fine form into 2019, having gained admission to further her education at Tyler Junior College in Texas, USA.
The teenager went on to score an astonishing 23 goals as Tyler Junior College won the 2019 NJCAA Gulf South District Championship.
2. Jordan Ayew
Jordan Ayew started 2019 as a player on loan at Crystal Palace from Swansea City. However, he would end the year as a player on a permanent deal at Selhurst Park.
Some 12 months ago, the Ghanaian was struggling to nail down a place in the Crystal Palace team after often being left on the bench.
However, he has risen to become a key player for the club since being snapped up permanently from Swansea in the summer.
Jordan has managed to dislodge Christian Benteke to become Crystal Palace’s first-choice striker, scoring four goals in the Premier League this season. He was also Ghana’s best player at the 2019 AFCON, where he netted twice.
3. Kwame Bonsu
Kwame Bonsu has had a very good year, with his impressive performances earning him a dream move to Tunisian giants Esperance.
The 25-year-old was part of the Asante Kotoko side that participated in last season’s CAF Confederations Cup and he was one of the team’s best performers.
Although Kotoko eventually exited at the group stage of the competition, Bonsu established himself as one of the best midfielders in the country.
For a player coming on the back of a very difficult past, what he achieved in 2019 was just remarkable. In March, he was even named in the Black Stars squad for the final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya. The midfielder is currently enjoying his football at Esperance.
4. Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey has been in imperious form this season, having nailed down a place in the Atletico Madrid first team.
The 26-year-old already has two goals to his name this term, including one in the Champions League.
Partey was undoubtedly Ghana’s most consistent performer in 2019, with his no-show at the AFCON being his only low point. He was, however, adjudged Sports Personality of the Year and Male Footballer of the Year at the 2019 SWAG Awards.
The Atletico Madrid man was also awarded Footballer of the Year at the second edition of the Ghana Football Awards.
5. Joseph Aidoo
Joseph Aidoo has grown to become a key player for the Black Stars. At 24, the centre-back is already a starter for the national team.
It was, however, in 2019 that everything came together for him. Having won the Belgian league with Genk, Aidoo moved to Celta Vigo last summer.
The defender joined the Spanish topflight side in July for a sum of €8 million and
has so far played every game for Celta Vigo this season.
6. Mohammed Salisu
A year ago, Mohammed Salisu was playing youth football with Real Valladolid’s B team, having moved to Spain as a teenager.
However, the 20-year-old is currently a mainstay in the Valladolid first team and has established himself as one of their key players this season.
The centre-back has also earned effusive praise for his confidence on the ball, as well as his understanding of the game. Salisu has played every game for Valladolid this season and has scored once.
Having enjoyed a remarkable year at club level, the defender was rewarded with a national team call up for Ghana’s 2021 AFCON qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.
7. Shafiu Mumuni
Ashanti Gold striker Shafiu Mumuni is the only local player who makes our list of top Ghanaian footballers in the year 2019.
The 24-year-old has had a very fruitful year at both club and international level, where he scored lots of goals.
Mumuni netted four times in four games during Ashanti Gold’s CAF Confederations Cup campaign, before adding another four during the WAFU competition.
For his reward, the striker was handed a debut call-up for the Black Stars 2021 AFCON qualifiers in November.
