The 2016/17 Ghana Premier League season has come to a close with Aduana Stars emerging winners of the league title - their second since 2009.
Black Stars goelie Joseph Addo played an inspirational role in getting Aduana Stars the title after keeping 11 clean sheets in 19 appearances for the 'Ogya Boys' while AshGold’s Hans Kwofie pulled a surprise by scoring 4 goals in their final game of the season to win the goal king with 17 goals.
Aduana Stars manager Yusif Abubakar emerged the coach of the season for guiding his side to the title as well as being the third most defensive side of the season.
Below is Ghanasoccernet' team of the season:
1. Joseph Addo (GK) - Aduana Stars: Obviously the best goalkeeper of the season, Addo kept 11 clean sheets in 19 appearances for the champions. He guided them to the title which eluded the side last season. Not only did Addo keep cleans sheets for Aduana Stars, he was also able to make some great decisive saves to take his side that fat. Razak Abalora would have been the goalie of the season with the way he started but departed WAFA for Azam FC of Tanzania.
Fatawu Mohammed - Hearts of Oak: The Hearts of Oak right back fought his way into the GSN team of the season following his magnificent performance for his side. Fatawu started the season on a great note after he was nearly loaned out after last season for non-performance. But the arrival of Frank Nuttal saw a transformed Fatawu Mohammed whose versatility gave the coach options with his system of play. Fatawu scored a goal for the Phobians and provided 4 assists in 23 appearances. He fused well in the 3-back system introduced by Nuttal following a long term injury suffered by Inusah Musah.
Daniel Darkwah - Aduana Stars: Darkwah was one of the reasons Aduana Stars won the league. His leadership on the field following the injury layoff of Godfred Saka was greatly influential. Darkwah gave a great shield at the back for Joseph Addo and provided Coach Yusif Abubakar with options of making tactical switches on the field. He could play as a wing attacker and a left win back in a 3-back system. Darkwah made 27 appearances for Aduana Stars, scored twice and made and assist for his side.
Musah Nuhu - WAFA: WAFA conceded the least number of goals in this year's campaign and emerged the most defensive side in the league and Musah Nuhu was a defining figure. His defensive exploits nearly saw WAFA winning the league as he patched a great wall with Ibrahim Bukari to stop almost every attack. Nuhu who made 21 appearances for his side scored thrice and provided 3 assists for his side.
Vincent Atinga - Hearts of Oak: Probably the biggest thing that happened to Hearts of Oak this season is Vincent Atinga. He played 28 matches throughout the league, scored 5 goals and provided an assist to make his statistics enviable. Atinga' strength and agility at the back have compelled many to choose him as the best defender of the season.
Isaac Twum - Inter Allies: He was the greatest inspirational figure for Inter Allies this season. Twum scored twice as a midfielder and guided his side out of the drop. His intelligence on and off the ball paid off when the 'Eleven is to One' played had to battle it out from the relegation zone. The captain of the Black Stars B stepped into the shoes of Gockel Ahortor who was missing for the whole of the season after an impressive season last year. Twum played 26 matches for his side and provided some incredible assists to aid his side's escape agenda.
Winful Cobbina - Hearts of Oak: Cobbina was the second most influential player for Hearts of Oak after Thomas Abbey. Cobbina provided 9 assists in the season for the Phobians in 20 appearances and scored 4. Cobbina was not only instrumental in providing assists for the Rainbow Boys, but also provided the entire league with a spicy performance. His stupendous performance saw him score a goal-of-the-season contender in Hearts' 3-3 stalemate with Aduana Stars.
Gideon Waja - WAFA: Waja played an inspirational role in WAFA's campaign this season which nearly saw them winning the league for the first time in the club's history. He played 28 times for the Academy lads and guided them to finish 2nd with 51 points. Waja scored 4 goals and provided 2 assists in his 28 games for his side. His influential role was hugely felt in the side's campaign and pummelled his side in heavy wins over Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.
Stephen Sarfo - Berekum Chelsea: Sarfo, a hardworking player shot Berekum Chelsea's campaign this season by being their main marksman. Sarfo scored 15 goals and provided 3 assists in 27 matches, a feat many felt should have won him the top scorer of the Ghana Premier League.
Hans Kwofie - AshGold: The AshGold forward scored an astonishing 17 goals in 8 games out of the 21 matches he played to overtake Stephen Sarfo to win the Ghana PremierLeague goal king. He scored a dramatic 4 goals in their last game of the season against AshGold to become the eventual winner.
Thomas Abbey - Hearts of Oak: Abbey is described by many followers and enthusiasts of the Ghana Premier League as the most influential player of Hearts of Oak this season. Abbey scored 13 goals in 27 appearances for Hearts and provided 4 assists.
Subs Felix Annan Samuel Sarfo Majeed Ashmeru Joseph Paintsil Derek Sasraku David Abagna Sandan Ahmed Toure
By: Sheikh Tophic Sienu @desheikh1 on twitter