23 December 2008
Lagos — Black Stars and Chelsea star Michael Essien has been named Ghana's Footballer of the Year, beating Sulley Muntari and Laryea Kingston on the shortlist.
Despite the trio going head-to-head ahead of the awards gala on Saturday, Essien picked the SWAG gong by popular vote. Inter Milan's Sulley Muntari came second while Laryea Kingston of Scottish side, Hearts placed third.
The honour, voted for by the sporting media, the Sports Writers Association of Ghana, SWAG, was widely expected after Essien's impressive showing for both club and country this year.
There were other awards for the football family on the night. Black Satellites player, Ransford Osei picked up the Promising Player of the Year award.
Auxerre midfielder, Moussa Narry was awarded the Discovery of the Year. Narry takes the award for his achievement including his African Champions League success with Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia in 2007 and his subsequent invitation into the national team.John Ainoo of Sekondi Hasaacas was presented with the Dedication and Valour award.
The awards was the 33rd Edition of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana's (SWAG) annual awards night. SWAG every year awards personalities for their exceptional performers and contributions in sports.
Images of Manchester United celebrating with the FIFA Club World Cup trophy have been beamed around the world over the last 24 hours, but the feel-good factor is still lacking within the Red Devils camp during this festive season.
Indeed, winning the competition has merely papered over cracks in the Mancunian giants' season. The trip to Japan was supposed to be a show of strength for Sir Alex Ferguson's men, but it has ironically exposed flaws which their domestic title rivals will be keen to expose in the New Year.
First, United lacked concentration and poise towards the end of the 5-3 semi-final win over Gamba Osaka. Then, in the final against LDU Quito, the English side were far from clinical on the attacking end, although then won 1-0.
Previously, Fergie had a laugh and a joke about his selection headache where his attack is concerned - considering the slew of superstar goal-getters in the ranks - but his front-line is yet to gel at the halfway point of the season and he now has genuine concerns.
The wily Scot said of the final: "We made so many opportunities in the first half. We didn't convert them and it is a problem."We have scored only eight goals away from home in the Premier League, which is not good enough.
"We have expression and imagination in our game and we have players who can entertain. Still, we are not scoring goals.
"I hope the New Year brings a better edge to our attacking. If we get it, we have a great chance. When you don't take those chances you start to worry that one breakaway is going to cost you."
Still, he insists that his team will still be confident on their return to England and in good shape ahead of Friday's Boxing Day trip to Stoke City.
"It would have been difficult to go to Stoke with a beaten team," he admitted, "So this has been a good springboard and there will be a bounce within the club.
"It won't be easy at Stoke, no game in the Premier League is , but it gives us a platform to get some real purpose in our game and chase the leaders."
One man who will have relished his week in Japan is Wayne Rooney, who scored his eight, ninth and tenth goals of the season and was duly named Player of the Tournament.
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