Opinions of Saturday, 14 October 2017

Columnist: ghanaguardian.com

Surak Musah- The Zlatan in Ghana’s Division One League?

Striker Surak Musah takes on a defender in a game Striker Surak Musah takes on a defender in a game

Let me guess, you have probably also lost interest in anything that has to do with Ghana football because of the recent unpopularity of Ghana’s senior team; The Black Stars.

I will spare you the trouble and tell you about real trouble; 15-year-old predator; Surak Musah.

With a nimble right foot and lightening left foot, the Tudu Mighty Jets striker is still not sure which foot is his favourite. He is a natural right-footer who loves to score goals with his left-foot.

With a humble beginning from Accra Newtown, Surak Musah is one of few genuine Ghanaian football talents who are ticking time bombs waiting to explode and join the table of elite professionals.

Surak is an ultimate goal scorer who is capable of taking on players at ease. As if not enough, the Mighty Jets player more often than not comes out victorious in aerial clashes. His height, compact physique and character makes sure of that. He is seldom shoved off the ball by defenders; a powerful trait to have in our parts of the world.


Currently, Ghana can boast of a few sensational football exports around the world. The bitter part of this development is that most of them ply their trades in countries that are even way below Ghana in the FIFA rankings. But how do we blame these players for succumbing to frustration when they are hardly noticed or considered for a call-up to the senior national team while in the country?

Fortunately for Ghana, Surak’s exploits have not gone unnoticed. Some have likened the striker to iconic Swede striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic but the youngster insists he is nowhere near the level of the Manchester United striker.

“Of course it is every striker’s dream to attain the status that Ibrahimovic has attained and even more but for now I don’t think I can be compared to him” he insists

Very young but evidently experienced, Surak has played for Division 3 sides Global Warriors and Royal FC already and looks set to take on the world.
The towering striker thrives at running at defenders with a combination of great physical strength and a unique eye for goal. An out and out striker who is comfortable playing as a lone striker.

“I like to play according to the coach’s instructions. Sometimes I am told to stay in between the defenders run at them anytime I get the ball.” He says

“I don’t have any problem playing as the only striker upfront because I enjoy the challenge. Sometimes we play as two strikers upfront and I like that too because I get to move along the wings too”

“My favourite moments are seeing my team win but I always try as much as possible to score or give an assist. It makes the coaches happy” the lad said amidst smiles.

It is no secret that players that have had the right management and mentorship at the Division One level in Ghana have gone on to make marks in football. Kwadwo Asamoah is a living testimony of the immense talent in Ghana’s lower leagues having risen to stardom at Asokwa Deportivo.

Undoubtedly, this youngster is a befitting piece in a herculean jigsaw.