It was just over four years ago that Clifford Aboagye announced himself on the world stage as one of the most gifted young playmakers.
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From Youth Star To Obscurity: How Clifford Aboagye is fast becoming a forgotten man
Once Ghana’s most sought-after youngster, Clifford Aboagye has struggled to kick on since 2013, writes Pulse Sports' Emmanuel Ayamga.
How Clifford Aboagye is fast becoming a forgotten man
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The then 18-year-old won plaudits from all angles, and was, at a point, tagged as the future of Ghana football.
But how quickly times change in football. The star of Ghana’s bronze-winning U-20 squad in 2013 is now facing a defining moment in his career. When Clifford Aboagye first made his name at youth level, many immediately knew he was a special talent. His drive, influence and impact on his team-mates were telling and he looked destined for greater things.
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However, the former Inter Allies playmaker has not had a smooth ride thereafter.
Clifford Aboagye won the Bronze Ball at the 2013 U-20 World Cup
Pulse Ghana
And with his move to the Mexican league – where he will be lining up for Atlas FC – it is not so difficult to understand why many harbour doubts over whether the 22-year-old will actually be able to fulfill his potential. It’s a genuine concern, especially looking at the stagnation of his development in the last four years.
In 2013 he was in the company of Paul Pogba, Jesse Rodriguez, Raphael Verane and Julian Draxler among other equally talented youngsters, who were named by popular Italian newspaper Corriere dello as part of the 40 best young players in the world.
But while the aforementioned players have all gone on to build prominent careers in Europe, Aboagye is still yet to really kick on. One of Ghana’s most talented youth players is having a tough time realizing his potential at senior level.
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But it shouldn’t be so.
Aboagye’s transition into professional football has been steady and gradual, making it hard to understand how he is becoming a forgotten man. He has had a very conducive environment, devoid of the pressure that comes with senior football, to develop in the B team of Granada. And that is why news of his permanent move to the Liga MX should be giving sleepless nights to all football-loving Ghanaians.
He might still be young, but the talented boy who was once compared to Spanish maestro, Andreas Iniesta has had his career move in an anticlockwise direction since.
Four years ago he speared Ghana’s Black Satellites to a bronze medal at the U-20 world cup in Turkey. In truth that squad was filled with a lot of talent, but the diminutive playmaker was the brightest star among the galaxy. Aboagye was by far the face of that team: his skill, composure, sublime touch and eye for pass were unmatched for a then 18-year-old.
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He simply made the Black Satellites tick. And although goals were never a part of his game, he perfectly made up for that with his precise final pass delivery.
His emergence as the bronze ball winner in the aftermath of the tournament was the least he deserved for his incredible performances throughout the competition. And it was no exaggeration when one commentator labeled him an “assist machine” as he ascended the podium to pick up his award. It was a historic night for the young man, but maintaining such heights have so far proved to be a tall order for Aboagye..
At 18 years he was billed to become the future of Ghana football. His rise was greeted with huge excitement from Ghanaians due to his risk-taking style of play. For the first time in many years Ghana had produced that stylish type of midfielder – a typical ball-playing anchorman; a Xavi-esque.
The move to Granada after the U-20 tourney was supposed to be the springboard to reaching his full potential. It was supposed to be the stepping stone before he eventually joined a “bigger club”. And the initial signs were positive. Two goals and four assists in his first 15 matches was a fair outcome. His development was going according to plan.
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But after three years of having to play in the reserve league, without ever making a single senior team appearance, Aboagye was bound to move.
A transfer to the Liga MX at age 22 might be seen as retrogressive, and the comparisons have already began between the former Inter Allies playmaker and Dominic Adiyiah – another of Ghana’s bright youth prospects whose career has failed to blossom despite emerging as the golden ball winner at the 2009 U-20 World Cup.
But irrespective of how one chooses to look at it, Aboagye’s move to Atlas FC is an upgrade. The Mexican league is definitely not the ideal place for any young footballer looking to fulfill his full potential. But, on the other hand, what Aboagye’s critics have failed to realise is that playing in the top tier of Mexican football is far better – and more competitive – than in the Spanish reserve league. It offers him a better opportunity to continue with his development in a much tougher league.
That is why he should not be written off just like that. Thankfully, he is still young and can gradually battle his way up the ladder once more. The worry – and fear – however, is that one of Ghana’s brightest prospects may not be able to fulfill his full potential.
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Right now Aboagye is gradually becoming a forgotten man, but no player loses his talent overnight. And the move to Atlas FC could actually be the springboard to catapult his career to the next level. He is still the same player who erupted the Turk Telecom Arena into a frenzy – with claps and cheers coming from the almost 7,000 fans – after he singlehandedly tore apart Chile in the quarterfinal of the 2013 U-20 World Cup with his dribbles and breathtaking eye for pass.
It is a performance that is still widely remembered till date, and that should serve as a timely reminder of Aboagye’s potential.
Currently, though, he has gone from youth star to obscurity, however, a renaissance of his career is still very much alive for the 22-year-old.
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