There was no sign it will be a special year by more than half way through it, there was no doubt it will remain etched in our memory for long. KickOffGhana.com editor Michael Oti Ajei was with them through the journey and gives out his highs and lows in the form of a very unscientific awards. Awards, we have learnt over the years can sometimes be ridiculously subjective. Your best player is someone’s worst and nowhere is that more evident than in Ghana football. One thing we all agree on though is that the Black Stars had quiet a year. Nations Cup semi finalists, world cup quarter finalists. And in fairness at the turn of the year none of us really expected that. Along the line there were heroes, many fine players who stood up to be counted but there were those who also proved that the stage of the Black Stars is too big for them. Others also worked tirelessly behind getting no credit for a great deal of work done while some missed no opportunity to try and prove a point. Best Player Numbers for a striker says a lot in football and Asamoah Gyan’s in the Ghana colours was nothing short of exceptional. In two major tournaments, he scored six goals but wait till you get the breakdown. Two of the goals in the Nations Cup eliminated Angola and Nigeria in the quarter and semi finals. At the world cup, his goal earned three points against Serbia, one point against Australia and a quarter final place at the expense of the USA. For someone so maligned in Ghana’s last major tournament in 2008, it was the perfect response. He may have blown the chance to make history but it is so difficult to see what the Black Stars would have done without his goals. Match of the year There will be many contenders for that. The victory against Angola in the quarter finals of the Nations Cup was sweet, the one against Nigeria even better. When you get one over the big brother across the border, nothing beats that feeling. But it was the game against the USA that provided the most thrills. Kevin-Prince Boateng scored his first goal for Ghana to increase the number of female admirers using his photo as their facebook profile pictures. The Americans equalised before Asamoah Gyan scored an absolute beauty. That clearance cum pass from Dede Ayew, the take by Gyan on his chest, how he brushed of Jay Demerit and Carlos Bucanegra and that finish beyond Tim Howard. Never will it fade from the memory Most underrated Star That has to be Anthony Annan. Stories linking him to every big club in England may be grossly exaggerated but the Rosenborg man is so vital for Ghana. He was omni-present at the world cup shielding defence in a manner few players can manage. It is a real wonder that after three really solid tournaments for Ghana, he still plays his club football in Norway. Way better than that. Discovery of the year Even for those who championed for Kevin-Prince Boateng’s inclusion in the Black Stars, his performances at the world cup still came as a pleasant surprise. Full of energy and life, he was creative too. If we did not miss Michael Essien at the world cup, he was primarily the main reason. Special mention to Dede Ayew who followed up his fantastic displays for the U-20s in 2009 for the senior side in 2010. His goal against Burkina Faso in the final group game of the Nations Cup meant Ghana did not take the early flight home. And his performances at the world cup particularly against USA and Australia showed the coming of age. At 21, there is no doubt he will be around for many years to come Richard Kingson we were told was getting too old. Long may he continue though. His saves at the Nations Cup proved vital; at the world cup he was even better. But 2010 was not all rosy though. The Worst game The Worst game for the Black Stars must have been that one against Sudan in the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers. No passion, no life, plain listless. It looked as if the players went unto the pitch having convinced themselves they had already won. It proved a grievous mistake. The game we will rather forget quickly is without a doubt that one against Uruguay at the Soccer City. Luis Suarez, the Uruguay striker who stopped Dominic Adiyiah’s goal bound header with his hand and boosted about it has become public enemy number one. There are those who will never forgive Asamoah Gyan for missing that penalty kick. Many Ghanaians will rather not watch it again. Painful Disappointment of the year There will be many candidates for this but Sulley Muntari will come close. Too many confrontations for a player so gifted. Dropped from the Nations Cup, the fact that stories about his spat with the Black Stars coach Milovan Rajevac should threaten what was proving to be a fine world cup was unfortunate. He has still not found a way back in. Chances are it will be a while before he finds his way back in.
Star men and disappointment in 2010
