BUDU’S CORNER: 10 Exciting Right-backs in the Ghana Premier League Featured

The right-back is fast becoming an extremely important position in football; however, not every player can carry out the role to perfection. He needs to be fast, skilful and full of running. He has to defend, attack and even score and set up goals for his team.

 

The position has had its fair share of legends, from Cafu, Thuram, Salgado, Zambrotta,Zanetti, Alves, Lahm et al. 

 

Below is a list of nine exciting right-backs in the Ghanaian Premier League, who churned out solid performances game after game, virtually cordoning off their side of the park in the first half of the league.

 

 

Samed Mohammed has taken the Ghanaian topflight by storm. He has appeared 13 times for the Academy lads winning 1 MVP in the process. He is a fast and skilful player, who likes dribbling and needs no invitation to run at opposition defences. 

 

His crossing is among the best in the league and is also blessed with the ability to spot a pass. A good runner, who loves to get forward, Mohammed is not found wanting defensively. 

 

His lightening pace makes him a nightmare to live with on the overlap for opposition full-backs as well as a get-out of jail free card when found wanting at the back.

 

 

The 18-year-old joined the Karela United on loan from Ashanti Gold SC. He is blessed with scintillating speed and has flourished extremely well under the attacking tactics of Evans Adotey and Stephen Abugri. 

 

He is very good at his tackles and likes to press on the field. However, he comes into his own once he runs into the opposition third. It is from here that he uses his brilliant crossing ability to hurt the defences. 

 

 

The AshantiGold SC right-back has improved by leaps and bounds and has all the ingredients that make a great right-back. 

 

But what makes him such an enticing prospect is that he already is one of the best right-backs in the country now. He is fast and strong, a combination that makes him a daunting prospect for opposition. 

 

He likes tackling and is pretty good at it too. He is also excellent and is a handy player to have in the defence when the team has the back against the wall. He isn’t flashy but his performances over an extended level have been top drawer. 

 

 

A star player among an otherwise average Chelsea team, Jorge Renchi has shine for his side this campaign. As proficient in attack as he is in defence, the marauding defender is a model example of the relatively right -wing-back position. 

 

The Chelsea man has earned plaudits for his speed, technical qualities and ability to make a tackle. In other words, he’s all you could ever want in a right-back.

 

 

 He is very good in dribbling, tackling, blocking and interception. He is very much versatile and can be assigned on the left side of defence and even as a defensive midfielder. 

 

He is well known for playing layoffs, creating chances by playing long balls and placing cross the flanks.

 

 

He is young, talented and has lots of potential in him. He is one of those players in the wish-list of many managers. That should tell you how immense a talent he is! Blessed with lightening pace, impressive strength and a booming tackle, Appiah is gradually carving a niche for himself in the league. 

 

There are few who can get the better of Samuel Appiah, who has been one of the league’s most consistent performers. 

 

Not only is he known for his defensive qualities, but he’s also a reliable presence on the ball, very rarely conceding possession.

 

 

The Bechem United right-back is a delight to watch. He is an energetic presence and provides plenty of cut and thrust down the right flank, but he isn’t found wanting defensively. 

 

He forces turnovers high up the field before inching forwards into the opponent’s half. He likes to combine with his right winger/right-back, progressing down the line with his 1-2s and transitions, rather than looking to beat players with skill or pace.

 

 

Perhaps his biggest strength is his game intelligence. Incredibly mature and composed as a leader, he has good communication and organizing skills which ensure that defensive lapses do not occur. 

 

His crosses are top-notch. He provides hard running, solid positioning and astute awareness without the ball, working aggressively to make opposition attackers sweat. Ampadu is always searching for a forward pass to open up an opponent. 

 

Perhaps his biggest strength is his game intelligence. Incredibly mature and composed as a leader, he has good communication and organizing skills which ensure that defensive lapses do not occur. His crosses are top-notch. 

 

He provides hard running, solid positioning and astute awareness without the ball, working aggressively to make opposition attackers sweat. 

 

Fatawu Mohammed is always searching for a forward pass to open up an opponent. He has an eye for the final pass and is not surprising that he has already set up 4 goals.

 

 

His marauding charges up the right hand side are a joy to behold. Outrageous pace is usually quite useless without the end product, but that's been fine tuned and is now far more reliable. 

 

Some player he's become. He is a bubbling cauldron of passion, drive and determination, while also possessing the technical skills needed to survive at the highest level.

 

 

Full-backs can go unnoticed on the football pitch at times, but in Annor Walker's set up, these bombers are the protagonists, stars and lead roles. 

 

Sackey operates higher on the left flank than a typical wide defender, but that doesn't mean his duties are lessened. 

 

The 24-year-old is sturdy in defence, offering immense physical presence and pace when retreating towards his own goal. 

 

He is most in his element when flying towards the oppositions' final third, though.