Emmanuel Akuoko

Emmanuel Akuoko (born 10 January 1983) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Ghanaian Premier League side Aduana Stars.^[1][2][3] He previously played for Kuwaiti side Burgan SC.

Club career

Aduana Stars

Akuoko started his career with Dormaa-based club Aduana Stars in September 2007. He was part of the squad that won the Ghana Division One League and got promoted to the Ghana Premier League in August 2009, the first time in the club's history. He helped the club win their first Premier League title in their inaugural season during the 2009–10 season with Herbert Addo as head coach, setting numerous records in the process including setting a world record for least productive champions with 19 goals in 30 matches equalling it with an average of 0.6333 goals per match.^[4][5][6]

As at 2015, he had been serving as club captain of the club.^[6][7][8] He served as the captain and played a key role in helping them lift their second league title during the 2017 Ghana Premier League.^[2][9] From 2018, he has been serving as the general captain of the side, with Yahaya Mohammed, Joseph Addo and Paul Aidoo all serving as team captains at one point in time.^{[10][9][11][12]}

Burgan SC

On 5 August 2019 Akuoko joined Kuwaiti team Burgan SC. He joined defender former Aduana Stars teammate Bright Adjei who also signed for the Club days ago.^[13][4]

Return to Aduana Stars

Akuoko's move to Burgas SC took a snag and he returned to his former club Aduana Stars in December 2019.^[14][5] In May 2020, at the age of 37 years, he mentioned in an interview that he was not ready to hang his boots rather he had 5–6 years more on his playing career and ruled out retirement from football after 2025.^[5][15][16]

International career

Akuoko received call-ups to the Ghana A' national football team, the Local Black Stars team in 2011 and 2015.^{[17][18][19][20]}

Style of play

Akuoko maoinly plays as a central defender but has the ability to play across the back four and as a defensive midfielder.^[13]

Personal life

In 2020, Akuoko revealed his dream of becoming a professional football agent after retiring from playing football.^[21] He put up a five a five bedroom house in Kumasi, the capital town of the Ashanti Region through the help of the club's bank roller Omanhene of Dormaa Osaagyefo Oseadeeyo Nana Agyeman Badu II.^[22][23]

Honours

Club

Aduana Stars

• Ghana Premier League: 2009–10, 2017^[2]
• Ghana Super Cup: 2018^[2]

References

1. Benaiah Elorm and Al-Smith Gary (13 November 2020). "The ultimate 18-team Ghana Premier League season guide 2020/21 - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 17 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
2. "Ghana - E. Akuoko - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
3. "Emmanuel Akuoko - Soccer player profile & career statistics - Global Sports Archive". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
4. "Aduana Stars FC Legendary Defender Emmanuel Akuoko Joins Kuwaiti side Burgan Sports Club". 442 GH. 4 August 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
5. "Aduana Stars' Emmanuel Akuoko wants to retire in 2025 - Kickgh.com". www.kickgh.com. 13 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
6. Harmse, JJ (4 May 2015). "Aduana eying second league title". supersport.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
7. "Ghana Premier League: Week 1 Man-of-the-Match winners". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
8. Adams, Nuhu (18 April 2015). "Aduana Stars captain Emmanuel Akuoko heaps praise on coach Yusif Abubakar". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 10 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
9. "Dormaaman revel in Aduana's glory". Graphic Online. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
10. "Aduana Stars name Yahaya Mohammed as their new captain". Primenews.com.gh. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
11. "'Football should not be rushed back'- Aduana Stars captain Emmanuel Akuoko". GhanaSoccernet. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
12. "Aduana Stars lead under threat, as they host Hearts of Oak in Dormaa". Pulse Ghana. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
13. "EXCLUSIVE: Long-serving Aduana Stars defender Emmanuel Akuoko joins Kuwaiti Club Burgan SC". Ghana Sports Online. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
14. "Emmanuel Akuoko". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
15. "Aduana Stars captain Emmanuel Akuoko wants to play until age 42". GhanaWeb. 13 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
16. "I still have six years of football in me- Aduana Stars captain Emmanuel Akuoko". GhanaSoccernet. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
17. Association, Ghana Football (22 April 2011). "Players called into Black Stars Team 'B'". www.ghanafa.org. Retrieved 10 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
18. Association, Ghana Football (8 March 2015). "Twenty- seven players invited to Home-based Black Stars camp". www.ghanafa.org. Retrieved 10 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
19. GFA (22 April 2011). "24 players called to Black Stars Team 'B' - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
20. Harmse, JJ (9 March 2015). "Ghana call 27 players for Chan preps". supersport.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
21. "Aduana Stars captain Emmanuel Akuoko reveals dream of becoming a player agent". GhanaSoccernet. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
22. Opoku, Dennis Ivan (11 September 2020). "Why Emmanuel Akuoko is the longest serving member of Aduana Stars". Footy-GHANA.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
23. Owusu, Benedict (23 April 2015). "Ghanaian players branded as 'taxi drivers' | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

External links

• Emmanuel Akuoko at Global Sports Archive
• Emmanuel Akuoko at WorldFootball.net
• Emmanuel Akuoko at FootballDatabase.eu
• Emmanuel Akuoko at Soccerway