Esperance Sportive de Tunis regret for not making move for Ghana Premier League star who went to Qatar 2022 World Cup
Esperance Sportive de Tunis may have regretted for not signing Ghana Premier League star Afriyie Barnieh who featured in Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Barnieh was heavily linked with the Tunisian side last season but a deal collapsed before the local star finally received Black Stars call-up to Qatar by which he could have been Esperance player.
At the beginning of last season, ES Tunis were said to have prepared a $400,000 move for the Ghanaian International in January when they believed Hearts of Oak entering into the group stages of the African Champions League would rather give them an advantage to lure Afriyie Barnieh to Stade Olympique de Redes.
Esperance de Tunis’ interest in Barnieh came after the player’s exploit in the 2021 African Youth Championship in Mauritania where the 21-year helped Ghana to win their first title since 2009.
However, ES Tunis deal collapsed after Barnieh’s parent club Hearts of Oak failed to reach money zone of last season’s CAF Champions League having been crushed out in the first round by Morocco side and eventual winners Wydad Casablanca.
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The Tunisian side could have still captured Barnieh after Hearts’ exit but decided to back of the deal. ES Tunis signing of Afriyie Barnieh would have reunited him with his former U20 teammate Prescious Boah who joined Esperance in summer 2021.
After the failed move to the Tunisian giants, Barnieh has had a remarkable transition in playing career earning call-up to the Black Stars while helping the Black Galaxies to secure a place in next African Nations Championship in Morocco.
Barnieh received a surprised call-up to the Black Stars ahead of Qatar 2022 World Cup and register his debut in 1-0 win over Nicaragua in late September. After appearing one of the only two Ghana Premier League players to the World Cup, Barnieh started in Ghana’s 2-0 win over Switzerland in Pre-World Cup friendly game.
For all his tremendous transition including featuring for Ghana at the World Cup, he could have been an Esperance player if the former African Champions had signed him last season.
But the chances are still up in the air for grab after the World Cup with Barnieh reportedly willing to leave Hearts of Oak at the end of the season.
The Ghanaian International runs out of contract at Hearts at the end of the season and has rejected new contract extension amid a move abroad. His willingness to leave the Ghana Premier League side alone Is a big plus for many clubs including Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
As it stands now, Barnieh has been linked with a move to Mexico but clubs from South Africa and Europe are said to have tracked the forward at the World Cup.
The player’s market value has increased due to his World Cup exposure with his club Hearts of Oak earning $380,000 as Barnieh’s participation money.
Esperance are yet to be seen in recent transfer news but the Tunisian side can rekindle their interest and make a move for Afriyie Barnieh at the end of the season.
