Isaac Oppong among few Asante Kotoko stars playing a game enshrine in European football

Asante Kotoko have had their 2021-2022 season on a brighter note submitting the Ghana Premier League table with 30 points six more above second place Aduana Stars.

They beat Dreams Football Club 3-1 in the GPL opener, achieved a 2-0 home win over Bechem United and rose into a slim 1-0 win over newly promoted side Bibiani Gold Stars in Dun’s Park. That 100% start to life in the 2022 campaign after three games was monumental like many pundits in Ghana described.

When enjoying that monumental start, one player Isaac Oppon became arguably the most influential player in the Kotoko setup. The Ghana Premier League leaders embarked on a massive transfer activity last summer firing at least eight senior figures in the midst of bringing in 13 new faces.

The changes saw Emmanuel Gyamfi moved to Aduana Stars and even scoring on his debut in 1-1 draw against Karela United at Grosby Awuah Park. While maintaining that form, Gyamfi has added 4 more goals sending his tally to 5 strikes at Aduana Star while battling with other stars for the Ghana Premier League Player of Month December.

In December alone, Gyamfi scored 4 goals and 3 assists in 4 games according to a Ghana Soccer Net stat, emerging as favourite for the December Player of the Month.

Latif Anabila was loaned out to Bechem United becoming one of the most performed players in the league so far. Samuel Frimpong joined Medeam SC in exchange deal for Samuel Appiah while Augustine Okrah moved to Bechem United who sit third place on the Ghana Premier League log.

On the flip side, Kotoko announced deals for Maxwell Agyemang, Clinton Opoku, Samuel Boateng, Samuel Appiah, Richard Lamptey, Joseph Amoako, Dickson Afoakwa, Sheriff Mohammed, George Mfegue Ombga, Franck Thierry Mbella, Augustine Agyapong and Isaac Oppong who has been touted as direct replacement for Emmanuel Gyamfi.

Isaac Oppong replacing Gyamfi at Kotoko was arguably difficult due to the latest status who wore the captain armband before leaving the Kumasi based club.

And Gyamfi starting life at Aduana Star on a brighter note- walking straight into Aduana’s XI and scoring on debut- would have risen the bar for Oppong in attempt to eradicate good memories of the former captain from the Ghana Premier League.

However, 18-year old Oppong has made a strong statement so far, and to say the winger was even the brighter of the two in the very early start of the ongoing campaign. Oppong made 6 direct impacts; three goals and three assists in the first four Ghana league games while Gyamfi accumulated 2 impacts.

With this, though Isaac Oppong is not the only well-performed Kotoko player, a couple of new signings have been sensational in this campaign.

At the beginning of the season was shot-stopper Razak Abelora who pulled impressive saves to keep Kotoko early season unbeaten run intact.

But unfortunate for the leaders, they have lost the services of the former Black Stars goalkeeper to Sheriff Tiraspol. The Moldovan outfit unveiled Abelora on Tuesday as they look forward to conquer the Europa league after failing to qualify out of Group D that consisted of Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Abelora’s new side have been paired against Sporting Braga in the knockout round play-off which starts February 2022.

Along the line, Cameroonian International Georges Mfegue, another season’s top performer, burst into the limelight following his brace in Kotoko’s 2-3 loss to rivals King Faisal. Before Mfegue’s brace, the Cameroonian contributed densely to Kotoko comfortable 2-0 win over Bechem United in week two.

Mfegue has continued his form assisting Kotoko’s goal against Real Tamale United (RTU) at Baba Yara Stadium having played Mbella through who struck the far post. Mbella has shown he is one of the few Kotoko players playing European football.

Mfegue and Mbella have lightened Kotoko campaign in recent times with the two combining to provide a total of 11 goals. Mfegue has cored 4 goals and made the most in the Ghana Premier League so far 6 assists while Mbella has grabbed 6 goals though no assist yet.

With both players joining Kotoko at the beginning of the season, they are touted the best forward pair in the Ghanaian top flight.

Despite Abelora,Mfegue and Mbella been exceptional for Kotoko, Isaac Oppong is by far among these teammates playing a game suitable for English Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, Laliga or French Ligue 1.

Not to say Oppong has finally reached level of playing in the European top five major leagues but the youngster have the qualities for playing in Europe and for the best. His stats in the Ghana Premier League put him one of the best among Mfegue and Mbella.

Oppong’s stats at Kotoko doesn’t put him up for European readiness but his qualities- (that are favourable than many of his Kotoko teammates) could match the European game.

The Ghanaian International has a good physique/posture most appropriate for European football than what many of his Kotoko teammates boast.  His height and strength on the ball is the most great deal that gives him edge over his opponents during take-ons.

In the European top flight, good posture, and more importantly, high energy level is required to succeed. The balance of it, which prevents outweighed energy or too bulky, is ideal for playing in England, Spain, Italy or France. Isaac Oppong has the balance of posture and energy and adding up to his dribbling skills kill it when thinking he is most than his Kotoko teammates to play in Europe.

Many of his teammates (Imoro Ibrahim, Agustine Agyapong) will struggle to adopt in Europe mainly because of their unfavourable height, size or posture. The balance lines Isaac Oppong with the likes of Brazilian superstar Neymar, Stephan El Shaarawy, Eden Hazard and Callum Hodson-Odoi.

None of these European stars have struggled with their posture/energy and they have the edge in taking on defenders rapidly especially for Hazard and Neymar who kill the score when add dribbling skills. Not all dribblers in Europe have succeeded in top clubs especially those who lacked any one of good posture or energy- Hatem Ben Arfa, Bernard Duarte, Bernardo Silva etc. who deviates from energy despite having their dribbling skills. They are not seen as top footballers like Hazard and Neymar.

Xherdan Shaqiri appears a good dribbler but lack the height aspect which he could never been seen as Eden Hazard and Neymar level. Isaac Oppong with his good posture and energy along with his dribbling skills can succeed in the European game and look up to be like Hazard or Neymar only if the necessary processes are checked.

Aside having the favourable posture/energy/dribbling skills dynamics, Isaac Oppong appears more direct on the pitch than most of his teammates. His directness set him on advanced scale of playing in Europe. Where ever near the box Oppong picks the ball, he aims entering the box straightforward and score.

And that is great feature of playing and succeeding in European football. In fact it’s one of the main qualities managers in the Premier League, Bundesliga, French Ligue 1, Serie A and Primeira Liga are looking for. The goals he has scored and chances created this season tell it all.

Mudasiru Salifu would want to block before going forward, Richmond Lamptey wants to have nice first touch before final delivery while Mbella wants to dazzle before shooting. Oppong literally starts moving to the posts before he receives the final pass.

And when and where ever he receives a pass he enters the box to score. Many managers in Europe wants direct players with few like “Pep” Guardiola and Maurizio Sarri who want philosophical players.

Oppong’s directness was clearly demonstrated in Kotoko’s 2-0 win over Eleven Wonders after receiving a pass down the left flank. Like many of his teammates will wait for a take-on or cross into the box, Oppong abruptly curved inside and buried the ball beyond Wonders keeper.

Isaac Oppong have the European football language. He scored a stunner against Dreams FC, a curler against Gold Stars and a placement  against Wonders. Black Stars players will even struggle to score those goals. With a player scoring type of these goals which are often seen in the Premier League, Serie A, Laliga and French Ligue 1, then he capable of featuring in them in the future.

Currently the teenager is sidelined due to injury with no transfer interest from foreign clubs. Isaac Oppong is tipped to return fully and continued from where he left.

Philip Acquah

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