In a season defined by resilience, breakout performances, and unwavering grit, five names have emerged from Ghana’s domestic leagues; etched into the hearts of fans and now into the shortlist for the 2025 Home-Based Footballer of the Year.
They come from different towns, wear different colours, and play different roles. But what unites Stephen Amankona, Faisal Charwetey, Razak Simpson, Samuel Atta Kumi, and Rudolf Jnr Nana Kwesi is this: they’ve carried their teams, thrilled their fans, and reminded Ghana what homegrown football looks like at its very best.
Stephen Amankona: The Relentless Goal Machine
When Stephen Amankona steps onto the pitch, the defenders already know it’s going to be a long day. Leading the line for Berekum Chelsea, he has netted 15 goals this season once again topping the Ghana Premier League scoring charts.
But this isn’t new territory. Just last season, he walked away with the Golden Boot, thanks to a haul of 19 goals. This year, he’s picked up right where he left off; tormenting goalkeepers, timing his runs to perfection, and guiding Berekum Chelsea toward a coveted top-four finish.
At a time when many strikers chase contracts abroad, Amankona has stayed. And flourished.
Faisal Charwetey: The winger who took flight
Few stories are as electric as Faisal Charwetey’s. In his debut season in the Ghana Premier League with Nations FC, Charwetey didn’t just adapt—he exploded. With 11 goals to his name, he trails only Amankona in the scoring race.
November was his month. Four goals in four games. Player of the Month honours. And perhaps the moment that sealed his stardom: a brilliant solo goal against Asante Kotoko that left defenders chasing shadows and fans on their feet.
Nations FC now sit at the top of the table with 60 points, and it’s no exaggeration to say that Charwetey’s energy, flair, and precision have powered that surge.
Razak Simpson: The Wall That Never Cracks
While Charwetey dances up front, Razak Simpson holds the fort at the back. The Nations FC captain doesn’t score goalshe ; prevents them. But this year, he made headlines for something more.
After months of consistently commanding the backline, Simpson received a well-earned call-up to the Black Stars. He made his debut in an AFCON qualifier against Angola, then found the net in the Unity Cup’s third-place playoff, scoring his first international goal against Trinidad & Tobago.
To his club’s fans, Simpson isn’t just a defender; he’s their heartbeat. Calm under pressure, tireless in duels, and a leader in every sense, he’s been the foundation of Nations FC’s title run.
Samuel Atta Kumi: The clutch hero
At Bibiani GoldStars, few moments have been as defining as April 20, 2025. Locked in a tense goalless battle against Medeama SC, Samuel Atta Kumi stepped up in the dying minutes and buried a penalty that sent GoldStars into the title race with new life.
It was just one of his 10 goals this season, but perhaps his most symbolic. Throughout the year, Atta Kumi has delivered when it mattered most—sharp in front of goal, fearless in one-on-ones, and always the man for the big occasion.
As Bibiani chase history, Atta Kumi remains their sharpest weapon.
Rudolf Jnr Nana Kwesi: The Division One Revelation
Away from the floodlights of the Premier League, in the heartbeat of the Division One League, Rudolf Jnr Nana Kwesi has quietly carved out his own legacy.
Playing for Swedru All Blacks, Kwesi’s performances haven’t just earned him local praise; they’ve caught national attention. While statistics on his season remain scarce, his nomination alone speaks volumes.
It’s a rare feat for a player outside the top tier, and it’s a reminder that excellence knows no division.
In many ways, Kwesi’s story is the most romantic: a symbol of the hidden gems scattered across Ghana’s footballing landscape.
More Than Just Numbers
These five players didn’t just rack up stats; they told stories. Of loyalty. Of breakthrough. Of clutch moments and quiet excellence.
Together, they’ve redefined what it means to be home-based. Not as a stepping stone, but as a badge of pride. Their exploits have lifted teams; Nations FC to the top, Chelsea and GoldStars into the hunt, and Swedru All Blacks into the conversation.
As the 2025 Ghana Football Awards draw near, one of them will lift the trophy. But in truth, all five have already won something bigger: the respect of a nation, the hearts of fans, and a place in the evolving story of Ghanaian football.
