6 Ghanaian players who enhanced their reputations at the tournament

Spirits were down after Ghana failed to qualify for the 2018 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) tournament following a 4-3 aggregate loss to neighbours Burkina Faso in the qualifiers.

However, on Sunday the players made themselves, their coach and the entire nation proud after winning the WAFU tournament on home soil.

The Stars beat the Super Eagles of Nigeria by four goals to one in the final to gain some respite after initially losing to the same side in the final group A game.

Key to that triumph was the performance of some players, who played like possessed beasts. With this in mind, there are some players who would definitely have walked out of the Cape Coast stadium with their reputations greatly enhanced.

Pulse Sports looks at six Ghanaian players whose reputations have soared after the 2017 WAFU tournament.

1. Amos Frimpong

The Kotoko captain has been a mainstay in the Porcupine Warriors side in the Ghana Premier League, but has seen his stake rise the more after putting in an assured performance at right-back for the Black Stars B side.

Amos Frimpong was undoubtedly one of Ghana’s best players in the tournament, with his dazzling runs from the right causing all sort of problems for opposition defenses.

With such a display being telecasted across the globe, it will not be far-fetched to suggest that offers will soon be flooding in for the Kotoko rearguard.

2. Vncent Atingah

Atingah was unfortunate not to have made the squad for Ghana’s CHAN qualifier against Burkina Faso, but will not lose any sleep after proving to the world why he is one of the best defenders in the country at the moment.

The Hearts of Oak centre-back marshaled the Ghana defense together with Samuel Sarfo and was always apt to clear impending dangers.

He continued with his form into the final, and coupled with his marvelous record from the spot, he was rightly voted into the team of the tournament.

3. Winful Cobbina

The skillful playmaker had been the talk of town after being left out of coach Maxwell Konadu’s team that narrowly beat Gambia in the qualifying round of the WAFU tournament.

But once thrust into the Ghana midfield, he showed exactly why the fans cannot just get enough of him. His great passing ability, plus his sharpness made sure he terrorised opposition defenders throughout the tournament, despite being played as a make-shift winger.

Hearts of Oak will be happy to see their star man churning out such performances, but the problem is that Cobbina could be off the shores of Ghana very soon with potential suitors noticing his immense talent during the WAFU tournament.

4. Isaac Twum

Many had not really heard of Isaac Twum before he was made captain of the Black Stars B team, but just after the first game, his potential was evident for all to see. The Inter Allies midfielder was the commander-in-chief in the Ghana midfield, and help coordinate play from deep areas.

Twum’s importance to the side was highlighted by the 2-0 loss suffered to Nigeria in the final group game after he was taken off following an injury. That the midfielder was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament depicts his impact.

Per his performances, it will be a miracle if Inter Allies can keep him for the next season.

5. Stephen Sarfo

Definitely the name on the lips of every football-loving Ghanaian fan after the final against Nigeria. Stephen Sarfo has always gone about his work quietly but has never quite gotten the kind of praise he deserves.

But that is now a thing of the past, following his eye-catching performances in the recently ended WAFU tournament. The Berekum Chelsea striker has 13 goals in the Ghana Premier League and enhanced his reputation the more with his four strikes in the tournament.

The goal king accolade was just the least of rewards he deserved for his impact on the Ghana team.

6. Gideon Waja

Diminutive, relatively short and quiet, but Gideon Waja was the one of the revelations from the 2017 WAFU tournament. The youngster’s pedigree is already known by ardent fans of the Ghana Premier League, and he took it a step further with another masterpiece in the tournament.

The WAFA midfielder was largely used as a winger but still managed to make his presence felt. His eye for pass was something his colleagues fed on en route to winning the trophy.

Waja’s performances will definitely see clubs lining up for his signature soon.