Can Ghanaians champions in Europe sustain achievements?

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The just ended 2011 season in Europe was a bright one for some Ghanaian players and whether they can defend their titles is another question and herculean task judging from the competitive nature of the European leagues and other competitions.

Enoch Kofi Adu (FC Nordsjaelland, Denmark) won the Danish Cup, Yahaya Siedu was pivotal in Maccabi Haifa's league title triumph, Schalke featuring Hans Sarpei and Anthony Annan beat Duisburg 5-0 to win the German Cup, Prince Kevin Boateng enjoyed AC Milan's Scudetto party, Daniel Opare capped an impressive debut season in the Belgian top flight by winning the FA Cup after Standard Liege beat Westerlo 2-0 in the final.

These are winners from the motherland who have gone abroad for greener pastures and are also helping their European counterparts to win in the most competitive events.

No one can deny that Europe has the best and most competitive leagues and no one can deny the fact that Africa have contributed a lot to the feats of European clubs.

Though it is not easy to play in those wintery conditions and play above average, African stars have found it accommodating and contributing to the development of the world game and finding unity, peace and love.

Football is a great tool for peace building and it is also an avenue for entertainment.

The footballers do not only play hard to win, but they excite the fans and others not at the stadium, but elsewhere in Africa watching television.

The new season promises to be expectant with the maturity of most Ghanaians, especially those proud World Under 20 Champions, namely Andre Ayew, Emmanuel Agyeman Badu, Samuel Inkoom, David Addy, Dominic Adiyiah, Ransford Osei, Daniel Opare, Jonathan Mensah, Abeiku Quansah and Opoku Agyeman, just to name a few.

These boys are poised to make names for themselves and their motherland, Ghana.

For the 2012 season, we have seen some Ghanaians change sides or bought in better deals, for better results.

At the time of filing this report, Laryea Kingston has been unveiled at Hapoel Be’er Sheva, goalkeeper William Amamoo moves to Malta, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie has joined Greek giants Panathinaikos on a season long deal from Qatari side Al Sadd, goalie Razak Brimah has joined Spanish side Tenerife after leaving rival Real Betis, William Owusu has joined Belgian side Westerlo from Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon and Dominic Adiyiah is has signed for Turkish division II side Karsiyaka.

Elsewhere, Jerry Akaminko signs with Manisaspor (Turkish Superlig), his contract with Orduspor expired, whilst OGC Nice midfielder Abeiku Quansah has signed a contract with Ukraine side FC Arsenal Kyiv, Haminu Dramani has joined French second division side Arles Avignon, Prince Buaben signed for Watford, Ibrahim Atiku has signed a two year deal with Swindon Town, Derek Boateng moved from Getafe(Spain) to Dnipor(Ukraine), French side Evian Thonon Gaillard officially presented Jonathan Mensah to fans, Sulley Muntari returned to Inter after a loan spell with Sunderland, Kevin-Prince Boateng is bought outright by AC Milan from Genoa, John Mensah goes back to Lyon from Sunderland.

The news is great to hear and it will need more than training for Ghanaians to repeat their previous year’s show. We wish them all the best.

We have seen the exploits of Anthony Yeboah the super striker, George Weah, Abedi Pele Ayew, Sammy Osei Kuffour, and others who made it big with their clubs in Europe and it can be repeated or bettered by the current generation.

When the Black Stars matched England boot for boot at the Wembley Stadium last March 19, many African origins were proud and believe Africa is at par.