Musah Sulley: The 'forgotten' Muntari who has burst to life in Dubai

For a football obsessed country, it is normal to see two brothers intrinsically in the sports. From the Ayew brothers to the Kingson’s, up to the Wakaso’s and others, football has run through many families and it has served as a source of livelihood.

For the Muntari family, certainly, Ghana international Sulley Muntari is the biggest amongst the three brothers which includes Musah and Dinamo Minsk midfielder Sulley Muniru. Muntari has played at the top level in Italy and England, winning the UEFA Champions League, Serie A, as well as playing in three FIFA World Cups.

For many people, the name Sulley Musah Muntari might not ring a bell now simply because luck has not smiled on him, his blossom career has been curtailed by injuries. The ambidextrous Musah who is the second of the Muntari brothers is an embodiment of them all, he possesses the ferocious drive, great passing ability and warrior nature of Sulley Muntari. He also have the footwork of Muniru.

Watching a player perform well in a great football game leaves an indelible mark in ones imagination. In 2002, as an SS 2 student of Kumasi High School, I was at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi during a MILO game between my alma mater and Konongo Odumasi High School. Despite Musah’s house being just a stone throw from my house in the Zongo, that was the first time I saw him play, he scored a brace in the first fifteen minutes with one being a sumptuous over head kick. Though my school fought back to win the game 3-2, Musah was adjudged the man of the match and I remember telling him after the game that he has really surprised me.

Football was literally glued to Musah’s feet, he was simply a delight to watch. An out and out striker, Musah could also operate in any where along the offensive line.

Back at his club Asante Akim Missiles in Konongo, Musah was the kingpin of the team, he won the goal king award twice in the prestigious Romeo and Juliet Invitational Tournament as well as the Viaraggio Cup in Italy. Clubs like Inter Milan, AC Milan, Fiorentina and others were all after him.

Musah had gotten a call up to the 2007 Ghana Black Starlets team when disaster struck, he torn the ligaments in his knee during a friendly game and stayed at home for a year after having surgery. Upon his return, he again had the same injury and he had to be flown back to Europe for surgery.

To many people, Musah’s blossom career was over after two career threatening knee injuries. However, as determined and brave as he was, Musah never gave up, he stayed at home for sometime and returned to football through the help of former Black Stars striker Baba Armando who now manages him. The striker signed for Dubai-based UAE amateur league side Admirals FC and he has never looked back.

Currently, Musah is the top scorer in the league having scored 14 goals in just eight league games and winning six man of the match awards.

In his 20’s now, Musah still has many years ahead of him and the world should watch out for the “Muntari” who was nearly forgotten.