What if the President’s Cup was a battle between GPL players from the Nothern and Southern Zones?

On Tuesday, Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) announced that there will be yet another Super Clash for the President’s Cup which is scheduled for Friday, March 4.

This essentially means Ghanaians will witness a Super Clash each month till April. The first episode ended in a goalless draw at the Accra Sports stadium. Next month, both teams will lock horns again at the same venue for the President’s Cup. In April also, both teams will meet in the league for the reverse fixture at the Baba Yara Sports stadium.

To many Ghanaian fans, the Super Clash should be scarce and sacred because it is deemed as the biggest fixture in the country. Perhaps, it is time for GHALCA to get a bit more creative and take inspiration from the NBA All-Star event where the best of players from East and West showcase their skills.

What if this time we localised it and played a final between Ghana Premier League players from the Northern and Southern zones of the Ghana Premier League? This will make a lot more teams feel inclusive and allow GHALCA to tap into a larger fanbase. Interest will be at an all-time high as the best players in the league will get the chance to face each other.

If that idea was to be implemented based on performances we’ve seen in the 2021/22 season, here’s how the North and South teams could line up.

NORTHERN ZONE (3-4-1-2)

Coach – Prosper Ogum Narteh

Iddrisu Abdulai: Bechem United have been one of the best teams in the league this season, finding themselves second on the league table. One man who has contributed massively in the Hunters conceding less is shot-stopper Iddrisu Abdulai.

Pius Baffour Awuah: Awuah started all of King Faisal’s 17 games in the first round and was a huge contributor to their defensive stability earlier in the season.

Ismail Abdul Ganiu: It is no surprise that the Kotoko slipper gets a place in our team. The central defender has been decent defensively for the Porcupine Warriors as they command a seven-point lead at the top of the league table.

Imoro Ibrahim: Imoro Ibrahim after finding it difficult to find his feet under Narteh has now displaced Patrick Asmah in the set-up. The youngster has been consistent with his deliveries up high on the field with his defensive displays also convincing.

Richmond Lamptey: Having enjoyed a stellar individual campaign with Inter Allies last season, the midfielder has continued his rich vein of form after joining Kotoko. He has three goals to his name after featuring 14 times.

Mawuli Wayo: For a youngster settling into life at King Faisal, Mawuli Wayo has punched above his weight in the first half of the season with his six assists, the most from the first 17 games.

Salifu Mudasiru: Touted as one of the best ball progressors in the league, Mudasiru has put in an impressive performance for Kotoko, guaranteeing him a place in Prosper Ogum Narteh’s starting line-up on several occasions

Augustine Okrah: Another player who has also been active for Bechem United’s frontline is Augustine Okrah. He has acted as the fox in and around the box for the Hunters and he has been rewarded with goals.

David Sandan Abagna: Prior to his call-up into the national team, David Abagna was the joint-top scorer in the Premier League and was the brain behind RTU’s impressive start to the season after gaining promotion. But the player has not featured in their last few games since returning to the club with an injury.

Bright Adjei: The man who has been in the tick of affairs for Aduana Stars on the attack is Bright Adjei. The forward has found the back of the net nine times this season including scoring the fastest hattrick so far in the 2021/22 GPL season.

Franck Mbella Etouga: With his 11 goals so far in the competition, the Cameroonian has had a fine debut season for Asante Kotoko so far. He is also looking forward to becoming the first foreigner to win the top-scorer award.

SOUTHERN ZONE (3-4-3)

Coach – Annor Walker

Boris Mandjui: Medeama’s goalkeeper has also been an exceptional player in the league this season. The shot-stopper has kept 10 clean sheets in 16 games for the Yellow and Mauve lads this campaign.

Robert Addo Sowah: Sowah’s partnership with Mohammed Alhassan at the heart of defence has been key to the Phobians conceding just 10 goals in the league so far. And although they have not scored enough, these two have been solid in defence.

Mohammed Alhassan: Just like his partner, Mo Alhassan has also been bright for the Rainbow club and his performance against Kotoko shows how good he has been all season.

Konadu Yiadom: With four MVPs to his name in the first half of the season, Konadu Yiadom has been a rock at the back for WAFA, despite the team not having a better campaign. The centre-back will hope to keep them going in the second half of the season.

Augustine Randolf: Randolf has also been one of the top performers in the first half of the season, turning on the style on a number of occasions on the right side of the defence for Karela United.

Benjamin Abaidoo: The work of Abaidoo in the first half of the season also needs to be commended. The left-footed defender was named the man of the match in Medeama’s last game of the first round.

Razak Kasim: Accra Great Olympics may not be making the headlines they were dominating at this stage last season, but Razak Kasim has been one of their best performers in the middle of the park and gets a place in our team.

Umar Bashiru: Karela’s Bashiru has also been at the tail end of a string of good performances in the league this season. His first-half performances have been crowned with a NASCO player of the month nomination for January, a month that saw him score four times.

Abdul Fatawu Issahaku: After securing a short loan deal to Dreams FC, Fatawu Issahaku had a blistering start to life in the top-flight before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations. He scored six goals for the Believers.

Maxwell Abbey Quaye: Though yet to score after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Abbey Quaye’s eight goals in the first round see him earn a spot in our best XI from the southern zone. His goals represent 47.1% of the Wonder Club’s goals in the competition so far.

Mensah Agyenim-Boateng: Agyenim Boateng was prolific in front of goal for Dreams FC, combining well with Issahaku and Ali Huzaif in the attack as the club chases a top-half finish.

Source: Ghana News