Three squad members of the Black Stars will go head-to-head on Saturday to be crowned the Footballer of the Year by Ghana’s sporting media, the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).
Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Laryea Kingston have all been nominated for the Footballer of the Year category, an award given by SWAG every year at its awards night.
Football clearly overshadows the other award categories, even the topmost gong of the night, the Sports Personality of the Year award, which would go to international boxer, Joseph Agbeko.
For the Black Stars trio, succeeding John Mensah, who won the award the last time wouldn’t come easy as all three have put in impressive performances for the national team and their club sides.
All three helped Ghana to a third place finish at the 2008 African Cup of Nations and also secure a place in the final qualifying stages for the 2010 World Cup.
Aside the contributions for country, they have served as worthy ambassadors with their respective clubs in Europe.
Essien before his injury had been one of Chelsea’s outstanding performers in the English Premiership under Luiz Felipe Scolari.
In Italy, Sulley Muntari has made a good start to his career with Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan, who top the standings in the Serie A.
Laryea Kingston who continues to attract interest for English Premiership sides has been one of Hearts’ best players this season in the Scottish league.
Apart from the Footballer of the Year shortlist, the sport, would have other personalities lining up for awards.
Black Satellites player, Ransford Osei will receive the Promising Player of the Year award.
The Discovery of the Year award goes to Moussa Narry, who plays for French side Auxerre.
Narry takes the award for his achievement including his African Champions League success with Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia in 2007 and his subsequent invitation into the national team.
John Ainoo of Sekondi Hasaacas would be presented with the Dedication and Valour award.
The announcement of the Footballer of the Year award and other receiving of other awards will take place at the Round Pavillion of the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre on Saturday, December 20.