[Personality Profile] – Isaac Boakye

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

Professional career
The powerful striker 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. After the trials he joined African Club Asante Kotoko, then went on trials at Turkish Club Ankaragücü.

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 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 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.

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. Boakye scored 10 goals in his two seasons with Arminia Bielefeld in the Bundesliga.

In the summer of 2006, 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 to knock “the Warriors” out of qualification for 2002 African Cup of Nations in Mali.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. 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.

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.”

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.

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.

Injury concerns

Boakye was named in Ghana’s 2004 Olympic Team but got injured in the Pre-Tournament training Camp in Faro, Portugal. 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 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.”

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.

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