Alexander Djiku, Yaw Annor win big at the 2022 Ghana Football Awards
Black Stars’ mercurial defender, Alexander Djiku was named the Footballer of the Year at the 2022 Ghana Football Awards.
The France-based player came out in a cargory which included his fellow Black Stars players, Joojo Wollacott, Daniel Amartey, Thomas Partey and Southampton defender, Mohammed Salisu.
Djiku helped Strasbourg finish 6th on the Ligue 1 and he was a key part of Ghana’s qualification to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, playing vital roles in the play against Nigeria back in March.
It will be a year to remember for Ashanti Gold’s Yaw Annor as he was handed the Ghana Premier League Goal King and the Best Local Player awards for his exploits in the 2021/2022 Ghana Premier League, where he scored 22 goals to equal Ishmael Addo’s 21-year-old goal record.
Grace Asantewaa of Real Betis was named the Female Footballer of the Year while the Female Team of the Year was Ampem Darkoa Ladies for winning the Women’s Premier League and the Women’s FA Cup, beating off competition from Hasaacas Ladies.
Ampem Darkoa’s head coach, Joe Nana Adarkwa, was named the Female Coach of the Year.
Mizak Asante’s wonderful solo individual effort against Mobile Phone People in last season’s Greater Accra Division One League play off at the Accra Sports Stadium was chosen as the Best Goal of the season.
Former Black Stars captain, Abedi “Pele” Ayew was given the Living Legend award for his contribution to Ghana football.
Surprisingly, the award was taken on his behalf by Rev. Adika, the man who discovered Ayew in 1975 and gave him the opportunity to show his talents to Ghana and the world.
Felix Afena Gyan was named the Nii Odartey Lamptey Rising Star award and Alex Djiku was once again named foreign based player of the year.
The awards were held at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre and was attended by high profile personalities in sports, music, cinema, fashion and business such as former Black Stars players, C.K Akonnor, Laryea Kingston, Asamoah Gyan, and Tony Baffoe, movie star Beverly Afaglo, fashion icon Elikem Kumordzi, legendary musician Akosua Agyapong a host of others.
Full list of award winners:
Footballer of the Year- Alexander Djiku
Joe Nana Adarkwa – Ampem Darkoa Ladies (Women’s Coach of the Year)
Dr. Prosper Nartey Ogum (Men’s Coach of the Year)
Richard Nsenkyere of Samartex and Tom Vernon – Right To Dream (Thumbs Up Award)
Abedi “Pele” Ayew – Living Legend Award
Ampem Darkoa Ladies – Female Team of the Year
Asante Kotoko – Male Team of the Year
Porcupine Tertiary – Special Fan Of The Year
Nana Yaw Amponsah – Asante Kotoko (CEO of the Year)
Sadio Mane – Best African International
Iddrisu Abdulai – Goalkeeper of the Year
Asante Kotoko – Most Vibrant Award on Social Media
Grace Asantewaa – Real Betis (Female Footballer of the Year)
Yaw Annor – Best Home-based Player of the Year
Meshack Asante (Golden Kicks) Goal vs MPP – Goal of the Year
Yaw Annor – Goal King
Felix Afena Gyan – Nii Odartey Lamptey Rising Star award
Alex Djiku – Foreign-based Player of the Year
