Asante Kotoko star Abdul Fatawu Shafiu has been named in the team of the first round of the Normalization Committee Special competition.
CK Akonnor’s side have three of the chosen 11 – left back Evans Owusu, Abdul Ganiu (centre back) and clinical finisher Abdul Fatawu Shafiu make entry into the team.
Using number of matches played, MVPs won, disciplinary records, club position (on the league table) and national team call ups as the criteria, outstanding players from six different clubs complete the first XI of the NC Special competition team of the first round as according to Kumasi based Fox FM.
Elmina Sharks number one Richard Arthur takes the goalkeeping position, Isaac Kwain of Karela United and Evans Owusu of Asante Kotoko take charge of the right and left full back roles, with Abdul Ganiu and Issaka Mohammed of Elmina Sharks completing the back four.
Justice Blay of Medeama SC, Haruna Jamal of WAFA, Kojo Obeng Jr (Hearts of Oak) and Solomon Sarfo Taylor of Karela United make the midfield.
In the attack, top scorer of the first round Abdul Fatawu Shafiu (6 goals) of Asante Kotoko leads in partnership with Hearts of Oak’s Joseph Esso who is a joint top scorer of the group B with three goals.
Statistically, Richard Arthur has been the best goalkeeper in the first round, keeping clean sheets in all six games played in the first round. Right back Isaac Kwain has featured in all seven games for Karela United without any booking, leading his side to top the group with 13 points.
Below is the team of the first round lined up in a 4-4-2 formation:
1. Richard Arthur (GK – Elmina Sharks)
2. Isaac Kwain (Karela United)
3. Evans Owusu (Asante Kotoko)
4. Abdul Ganiu (Kotoko)
5. Issaka Mohammed (Elmina Sharks)
6. Justice Blay (Medeama SC)
7. Haruna Jamal (WAFA)
8. Kwadwo Obeng Jr (Hearts of Oak)
9. Solomon Sarfo Taylor (Karela United)
10. Joseph Esso (Hearts of Oak)
11. Abdul Fatawu Shafiu (Kotoko)