Ghana’s Team of The Season 2022/2023
The 2022/2023 football season is officially over. A football year that felt like a decade long season full of drama, injuries, and a very entertaining World Cup, ends as one of the best football seasons ever.
It was also a good year for Ghanaian players all over the globe, every player working to earn their chance to play on the biggest stage in the beautiful game.
Best performing Ghanaian XI plus honourable mentions. Let’s get stuck in:
Lawrence Ati-Zigi
This is no debate. Ati-Zigi has always been solid for his club side FC St. Gallen in the Swiss League but has never had a chance to prove himself at the national level. Always a regular in the National Team but never starting. However, he finally got his chance when first choice goalkeeper Joseph Wollacott got injured before the World Cup. Despite the Ghana’s forgettable World Cup campaign, Ati-Zigi was one of the few bright spots in the team, with his shot-stopping (which wasn’t enough to save a bad defense) and distribution. Post-tournament, he retained his spot in the National Team for the AFCON 2023 qualifiers, and continued to shine at club level winning the best goalkeeper award in the Swiss League.
Alidu Seidu
A very underrated defender. The Clermont Foot defender received his first call-up to the National Team for the AFCON 2023 qualifiers in June. He then played in the World Cup, starting in the games against Portugal and Uruguay. Seidu has always been solid for both club and national teams. In the just ended season, he played 28 matches for Clermont Foot in the French Ligue 1, missing a few games due to injury and suspensions. However, his versatility and reliability has made him an asset for his club team and has seemed to have locked down a spot in the National Team as a regular. Keep an eye on him.
Patric Pfeiffer
The German-born Ghanaian switched nationalities to play for Ghana in June and was even named in the provisional squad for the World Cup. The 23 year old SV Darmstadt man played a crucial role for his club side in their promotion to the German Bundesliga. The center-back stands at a staggering 6'5 (196 cm), making 24 appearances, scoring 4 goal and assisting once. Pfeiffer’s fantastic season has earned him a move to Ausburg for next season. Though he hasn’t made an appearance for the National Team, his name is still in the mix and a debut call-up doesn’t look far off. I’m looking forward to seeing how he performs in the Bundesliga next season. Another one to keep an eye on.
Alexander Djiku
Djiku just pips Salisu for me personally. The French-born Ghanaian has been a regular for the National Team since 2020, featuring twice in the World Cup. At club level, the 28 year old made 31 appearances for Strasbourg in the French Ligue 1 helping them escape relegation. He also captained his club team throughout the season. Djiku has been linked with a move away from his club and it remains to be seen whether that will materialise. His performances for Strasbourg have earned him enough to move to a much better side. I can see him captaining the National Team one day, he has it in his locker.
Gideon Mensah
Gideon Mensah, like Ati-Zigi has always been called-up to the National Team but never getting a consistent run of games to justify his inclusion. Mensah had always been a back-up to the more experienced Baba Rahman at that left-back spot. He finally got his chance in the World Cup with a start against South Korea; an injury to Baba Rahman post-tournament paved the way for him to earn that starting spot. Mensah’s performances have always been inconsistent, though the potential is there, on his day, he’s Ghana’s best left-back. At club level, Mensah plies his trade for AJ Auxerre in the French Ligue-1, making 26 appearances for his team. The 24-year old when fit, shone for Auxerre this season. Auxerre are now relegated and now we are all scratching our heads as to where Mensah’s next destination will be. He has held his own in the French top-flight and should be a good squad player for most teams in the league, even a potential starter. At national level, it will be interesting to see if he retains his starting spot when Baba Rahman returns.
Salis Abdul Samed
Salis has been player Ghanaians have been clamouring for to be included in the National Team and he finally did, even featuring in the World Cup starting all 3 matches. The RC Lens midfielder made 33 appearances in the French Ligue-1 and helped his team to a 2nd place finish with Champions League football secured for next season. Salis in the Ghana side has swiftly locked down a starting position alongside Thomas Partey in midfield and looks to be the number one choice in that position. I’m tipping him for a big move at the end of next season, keep an eye on him.
Thomas Partey
An integral part of the midfield for both club and country. The Arsenal man has always been one of the first names on the teamsheet, when fit. Partey had a brilliant start to the season despite his injuries along the way, and a mixed campaign at the World Cup. Though he had a shaky end to the season, there is no denying his quality. A no-brainer.
Mohammed Kudus
Ghana’s Star Boy. This has obviously been his year, performing at club level with Ajax in the Eredivise and Champions League, and at the World Cup. Kudus has made a name for himself in the football world. It will be interesting to see where he goes next or whether he stays at Ajax for one more year. I don’t have to say more, he’s just too good.
Joseph Paintsil
Another player Ghanaians have been calling to be in the National Team. This has also been his year. Unfairly missing out on the World Cup Paintsil didn’t stop Paintsil from performing this season. 14 goals and 14 assists in 30 appearances in Belgium’s top flight merits the forward a place in the national team which he finally got in March in the AFCON 2023 qualifiers. He had a great and there isn’t much to say, the number speak for themselves.
Osman Bukari
It’s safe to say Osman Bukari had the best year. From winning a domestic double with Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade, to scoring his first ever World Cup goal against Portugal, then pulling off the iconic ‘siu’ celebration in front of Cristiano Ronaldo himself. Osman Bukari has been with the National Team at the u23 level, before making his debut with the senior team in 2021. This season was arguably Bukari’s best season with the 24 year old scoring 12 and assisting 5 at club level; scoring once at the World Cup and a late equaliser against Angola in the AFCON qualifiers in March. Bukari is the type of player profile you want in a counter-attacking side, his electrifying pace and constant runs in behind the opposition defence is vital to Ghana. With Ghana slowly looking like a team looking to play on the break, Bukari is a must. He’s still 24 and has a long career ahead of him; with Champions League football secured next season at club-level, he has a perfect opportunity to make a name for himself against the best in Europe.
Inaki Williams
This was a close one between Inaki and Grejohn Kyei (Clermont Foot) but Inaki gets the nod. After years of speculation, Inaki Williams finally decided to represent Ghana. The Spanish-born striker received his first call-up in September for pre-tournament friendlies. Inaki was seen as the one to finally end Ghana’s goalscoring woes but that hasn’t worked out so far. There have been flashes of brilliance but just that first goal hasn’t happened for him. I believe his struggles in front of goal for Ghana are beyond his control, he just needs time to adapt and have the right players around him to create chances for him to bury. At club level however, Inaki had a decent season scoring 10 goals and assisting 3 in 36 appearances in the Spanish La Liga. I’m still backing Inaki to start firing for Ghana, it’s just a matter of time before Ghanaians sing his praises.
Ghanaian Team of The Season 2022/23
Honourable Mentions
Honourable mentions include — Grejohn Kyei, Abu Francis, Kwame Poku, Abdul Mumin, Joseph Aidoo, Bernard Tekpetey, Abdul-Aziz Yakubu, Emmanuel Boateng, Derrick Kohn, Braydon Manu, Kasim Adams, Jeffrey Schlupp, Majeed Ashimeru, Ernest Nuamah.
Thanks for reading :)
