Isaac Boakye

Isaac Boakye (born 26 November 1981) is a professional footballer who plays as striker for Asante Kotoko.

Isaac Boakye
Personal information
Date of birth (1981-11-26) 26 November 1981
Place of birth Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Asante Kotoko
Number 10
Youth career
1999 Ghapoha Readers
2001 Goldfields Obuasi
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2003 Asante Kotoko 3 (0)
2003–2006 Arminia Bielefeld 62 (24)
2006–2008 VfL Wolfsburg 26 (4)
2008 → Mainz 05 (loan) 13 (1)
2008–2010 1. FC Nürnberg 43 (10)
2010–2011 Young Africans SC 20 (3)
2011-2013 Vålerenga 7 (1)
2013–2018 Asante Kotoko 84 (31)
National team‡
2001–2007 Ghana 17 (6)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15 December 2013
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 24 December 2006

Professional career

Born in Kumasi, Boakye started his career at Ghapoha Readers, a club based in the Harbor City of Tema in Ghana. He later transferred to Goldfields Obuasi. In 2001, he went on trials at Swedish Club Norrköping.[1] After the trials he joined African Club Asante Kotoko, then went on trials at Turkish Club Ankaragücü.[2]

With many of his compatriots scattered throughout Europe's top leagues and clubs, the then 22-year-old elected to sign for unfashionable Arminia Bielefeld in the 2. Bundesliga[3] and kept his eyes squarely focused on Ghana's big prize – the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In the meantime, his environs suited him just fine, particularly as his team sat atop the second division table and could well be in the top flight next season.

"My first year here in Germany has been nice," Boakye told[4] in April 2004. “I’m very happy to start my career here, and I hope to get the chance to play in the Bundesliga soon. Bielefeld is doing well now, and the football is very competitive. That's good for me.”

Competitive perhaps but the bustling Kumasi native has been having little trouble finding the net in Germany. The 1.80 m tall forward has managed to score 14 times in his 26 clubs matches despite being the primary focus of opposition defences. His record for his country is slightly off that pace – five goals in his first 20 caps.[4]

In March 2005, Boakye extended his contract with German side Arminia Bielefeld until June 2008. Persistent knee injuries limited Boakye to just four appearances that season but that did not prevent the club from offering him a new deal.[5] Boakye scored 10 goals in his two seasons with Arminia Bielefeld in the Bundesliga.

In the summer of 2006,[6] Isaac Boakye joined the German first division club Wolfsburg. The striker signed a three-year contract. In January 2008 he was loaned to 1. FSV Mainz 05. He returned at the end of the season to Wolfsburg, but only for a short time, and transferred in August 2008 to then 2. Bundesliga club 1. FC Nürnberg. After two and a half years with Nürnberg, the contract was cancelled in December 2010. On 12 September 2013, Boakye signed for Asante Kotoko.

International career

When Ghana gave Boakye his first cap on 3 June 2001, he sent Zimbabwe into mourning by scoring an injury time winning goal[7] to knock "the Warriors" out of qualification for 2002 African Cup of Nations in Mali.[8] That late goal sent Zimbabwean sports commentator Charles Mabika crying for a long spell during live commentary on BBC Fast Track programme. This later became a subject of international discussion.

Zimbabweans had barely finished weeping when Boakye put George Weah temporarily into retirement after he scored the winner against Liberia in Monrovia. Boakye's goal in Monrovia gave the Black Stars a 2–1 win to dent Liberia's hopes of reaching the 2002 FIFA World Cup.[9] Stones were thrown at Weah and his teammates after the match and the Liberia star, incensed by the behaviour of the fans, announced his retirement – a decision he rescinded a few days later.

He was part of the Ghanaian 2002 African Nations Cup team, who exited in the quarter-finals after losing to Nigeria, having finished second in Group B. Coming on as a substitute, he will be remembered for bringing his side back from the dead. Boakye came on as a second-half substitute to win the game with two goals in the last 60 seconds of the 2002 African Cup of Nations game against Burkina Faso.[10][11]

A delighted Boakye, who wears shirt no.13, scored in the 89th and 90th minutes of the match to put Ghana into the quarter-finals. After the game, he declared: "I am happy too much and God has shown his mark today."[12]

Boakye did his part to right Ghana's ship with two brilliant goals in the 5–0 demolition of Somalia in the first round of 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying in Africa. The "Black Stars" won the tie easily 7–0 in Accra. Both matches were played in Ghana because of the security situation in Somalia.[13]

World Cup agony

Ghana's World Cup preparations was in danger of falling apart as the countdown to Tournament continued, after striker Isaac Boakye re-injured his troublesome right knee. Boakye sat out Arminia Bielefeld's final three games of the German season and as the injury was confirmed as a meniscus tear, he need surgery just before the Ghana World Cup team was announced.[14]

Injury concerns

Boakye was named in Ghana's 2004 Olympic Team[15] but got injured in the Pre-Tournament training Camp in Faro, Portugal.[16] That started a long costly battle with knee troubles that has seen him spend more time under the knife and on the sidelines than on the pitch. He has played only one International game[17] for Ghana in the past three years.

Boakye missed all the major tournaments that Ghana played during that time including the 2004 Olympic Games, 2006 African Cup of Nations and the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

He was down on his luck when he recently joined the Wolves from Bundesliga rivals Arminia Bielefeld during the summer break. First of all, he contracted a virus while on holiday, and then he sustained a knee injury, which meant that he could only partially train at the training camp in Saalfelden, Austria. Boakye is happy at the way he has been welcomed to his new club, and he cannot wait to get started after he regains full fitness. Added Boakye who then said: “The most important thing is that I become healthy and fit, then my chance will come.”[18]

On 28 February 2007, Ghana coach Claude Le Roy announced that Boakye will no longer play for the "Black Stars" for persistently turning down call-ups to the national team. Boakye has not featured in the Black Stars squad since September 2005 after falling out with previous coach Ratomir Dujkovic.[19]

Career statistics
As of match played on 15 December 2013
Club Season Division League Cup1 Continental2 Other3 Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAssists
Asante Kotoko 2002–2003 Ghana Premier League 30000000300
Arminia Bielefeld 2003–04 2. Bundesliga 261400000026143
2004–05 Bundesliga 1122100001330
2005–06 2584100002993
VfL Wolfsburg 2006–07 Bundesliga 2444000002844
2007–08 20000000200
Mainz 05 (loan) 2007–08 2. Bundesliga 1310000001311
1. FC Nürnberg 2008–09 2. Bundesliga 311000000031107
2009–10 Bundesliga 1000000001000
2010–11 20000000200
Vålerenga 2011–12 Tippeligaen 712310001041
Asante Kotoko 2013–14 Ghana Premier League 00000000000
Career total 1544012510001674519

1Includes the Ghanaian FA Cup, Ghana Super Cup, Norwegian Football Cup, and the DFB-Pokal.
2African competitions include the CAF Champions League, CAF Confederations Cup and the CAF Super Cup.
European competitions include the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup.
3Other tournaments include the FIFA Club World Cup.

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References
  1. "Swedish interest shown in Isaac Boakye". ghanaweb.com. 19 December 2001. Retrieved 19 December 2001.
  2. "Isaac Boakye back to Kotoko". ghanaweb.com. 15 September 2002. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  3. "Arminia Bielefeld Confirms Signing Isaac Boakye". ghanaweb.com. 9 September 2003. Retrieved 9 September 2003.
  4. "Player to Watch: Boakye leads the line for Ghana". FIFA.com. 12 April 2004. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
  5. "Boakye stays in Germany". bbc.co.uk. 31 March 2005. Retrieved 31 March 2005.
  6. "Boakye joins Wolfsburg". bbc.co.uk. 20 June 2006. Retrieved 20 June 2006.
  7. "Ghana beat Zimbabwe to reach Africa Nations Cup finals". ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  8. "The new Yeboah". bbc.co.uk. 2 February 2002. Retrieved 2 February 2002.
  9. "Never Say Never! Black Stars Are Back As Contenders". ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  10. "Supersub Boakye sends Ghana through". bbc.co.uk. 30 January 2002. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  11. "Last gasp victory sends soccer fans into frenzy". ghanaweb.com. 31 January 2002. Retrieved 31 January 2002.
  12. "Ghana's new hero". bbc.co.uk. 30 January 2002. Retrieved 30 January 2002.
  13. "Golden goal sinks Mauritius". bbc.co.uk. 16 November 2003. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  14. "Boakye faces World Cup agony". bbc.co.uk. 27 April 2006. Retrieved 27 April 2006.
  15. "Ghana trims Athens squad". bbc.co.uk. 30 July 2004. Retrieved 30 July 2004.
  16. "Ghana names Olympic squad". bbc.co.uk. 9 July 2004. Retrieved 9 July 2004.
  17. "Friendly: Ghana 0 Senegal 0". ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  18. "Isaac Boakye can't wait". vfl-wolfsburg.de. 25 July 2006. Retrieved 25 July 2006.
  19. "Ghana axe Boakye". bbc.co.uk. 28 February 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2007.
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