Awudu Issaka is back home

Ghanaian football fans could witness another dazzling display by Awudu ?Disco Dancer? Issaka on the local scene after nearly a decade of his playing career in Europe.

Undoubtedly one of the most gifted Ghanaian footballers of his time, Issaka last week trained with Liberty Professionals at the Carl Reindorf Park in the hope that the Dansoman-based club would offer him a place to resurrect his career.

A few weeks ago, the midfielder revealed to this writer that his playing days abroad were over and he was back home for good to ?sort out things?, but did not completely rule out returning to domestic football.

His appearance at Liberty?s training grounds, therefore fuelled speculations that the former national star was set to join the ?Scientific Soccer Lads?.

However, Liberty?s head coach, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, told the Graphic Sports after training last Wednesday morning that even though he observed Issaka at training on three occasions, the club had not taken any decision in respect of signing him on the player.

Although Issaka was absent from training last Wednesday, coach Attuquayefio said he still expected him to return for further observation after giving a good account of himself last week.

?Well, he showed traces of his past form and if he can reproduce that kind of form on a regular basis then it opens an opportunity for all possibilities. But as we speak we have not had any discussion with him.?

Smallish Issaka, who returned home several months ago after completing a five-year contract with German side Bayer 1860 Munich, told the Graphic Sports in a telephone interview from his Tema Community 20 residence, that he was still weighing his options, but would welcome an opportunity to play for Liberty.

He confirmed that nothing concrete was on the table yet regarding a move to any local club.

An unknown player at Prampram Mighty Royals, it was not until 11 years ago that the player caught national attention.

His promising career took off with the Black Starlets, as Issaka was the heartbeat of Coach Sam Arday?s ?multi-system? team that won the FIFA/JVC Under-17 title in Ecuador.

He was a member of the Black Satellites side that finished fourth at the 1997 FIFA/Coca-Cola World Youth Championship in Malaysia.

Unfortunately, his sojourn in Europe to fulfil a dream of a professional career was met with a number of difficulties ? partly cultural and partly personal ? and the supremely gifted midfielder failed to manoeuvre around these barriers with the ease with which he dribbled past opposing players.

A decade ago Belgian side RSC Anderlecht offered Issaka an opportunity to start a promising career in Europe but the youngster failed to hold down a regular position and he was soon showed the exit, landing at Auxerre in France where his career began to blossom until a dream move to 1860 Munich where the made a number of Bundesliga appearances.

He faded out from the top flight and ended in the reserve side of the German outfit.