It is utter striking and breathtaking to write about a flamboyant player within our flock as a dyed-in-the-wool of Ghana Premier League when many aficionados and opinion leaders in the country hold the slant that, Ghana Premier League is lagging behind in terms of quality to endear supporters to various league centres.
For one to make that inaccurate obsession and unpardonable mistake, the person needs to find precious time to gaze at one of the refined, finest, evergreen and experienced defenders in the domestic league who is exhibiting a highfaluting type of football.
The truth is, Ghana is known for producing quality defenders and midfielders just like Cocoa, Gold, Bauxite, Timber and many others on the international market.
But there are exceptionalities when we talk about a brilliant central defender whose figure and unique tackles give problems to attackers.
When acknowledgement is given to central defenders who have braved the odds to give a better spectacle of themselves, the likes of Sammy Kuffour, John Mensah, Shiella Illiasu, Joseph Hendricks, Issah Ahmed, Isaac Owusu Ninja, Awal Mohammed and many others instantaneously come to mind following their emblematic display in the arena of football.
The 2020/21 season of the Ghana Premier League has yet provided a space for football fans to watch another scintillating central defender who is pocketing the strikers in Ghana.
Ismail Abdul-Ganiu of Asante Kotoko is the player.
The former WA All Stars and Karela United’s defender has through time matured to become one of the great defenders in the League.
Ganiu has thus far played 11 matches out of 12 league games-producing shimmering and heartwarming performances which has won him one man of the match through his juicy showings.
Despite being sidelined by a career-threatening injury in the 2018-19 season, the lad has braved the odds to sparkle again with the sparkling speed of scintillating football.
The 24-year-old central defender combines beauty and intelligence in his game. He is an oasis of tranquility. Composed and confident.
The former U-20 and 23 stalwart defenders has also emerged as the leader of the rearguard, a quarterback figure. He is blessed with power on the ground and in the air, as well as enviable speed and an ever-improving distribution. He’s getting better with every passing week and has an astronomically high ceiling.
The Porcupine is a brainy defender who exhibits remarkable maturity on the field, well composed and confident when with the ball as a defender.
His deeper understanding of the game called football has evolved so well that he makes no mistake at the back. Very creative, dynamic, keeping the game simple and very swift as the same time with brilliant ball control.
The Ghana Premier League and Super cup winner is a disciplinarian both off and on the pitch.
If there is one central defender, who so far, has indicated his readiness for Ghana Blacks Stars, then, it will not be anyone but Ismail Abdul-Ganiu of Asante Kotoko SC.
By; Sasu Danquah High Priest.
