Bennard Yao Kumordzi
Encyclopedia
Bennard Yao Kumordzi is a Ghana
ian professional footballer, who currently plays for Superleague Greece club Panionios in Greece
and the Ghana national team
as a midfielder
. He previously played for IFK Norrköping
and more recently Egaleo.
before leaving for Sweden
to pursue a European career in 2005 in the city of Norrköping
.Before Kumordzi training At Bordeux.He struggled early on to get a club, until he got a break with a Division 6 amateur club called FC Norrköping where he played as a midfielder
though he left Ghana as a central defender. He made a big impression while playing in the division 6 amateur league and he became the leading goal scorer with 17 goals in 11 matches from the offensive midfield role.
During a cup match in July 2005 between FCN amateurs and IK Sleipner
, a Second Division club, Kumordzi performed magnificently to win the match for his amateur club. Stefan Hellberg, the then-coach of Swedish Superettan
side IFK Norrkoping
, who was at the game, told journalists that he had just discovered a gem. He gave him a trial with his club and Kumordzi jumped four levels from the sixth Division amateurs to the Superettan
(Swedish 2nd Div.). However, he never became a regular starter in the team. His stay there was ended after Kumordzi going on a strike on contractual disputes with his former club FC Norrköping.
side Egaleo FC
. He signed a five-year contract with the Greek outfit.
“I struck my first goal in the land of Greece
in a premiership match against Skoda Xanthi
and after that, many journalist told me that my goal would compete for best goal of the 2006/2007 Greek premiership season” Kumordzi said. He also received plaudits from the Greek media who says he is the true revelation of the season after another superb and goal game against Ergotelis FC
.
On 18 January 2007, the Greek FA – Hellenic Football Federation gave Kumordzi the Most Valuable Player award of the 1st Half of the 2006–2007 Greek Super League
, for his performances in the current season.
Among clubs scouting Kumordzi was German Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen.http://sport24.gr/html/ent/782/ent.154782.asp
His excellent performances were the reason that he gained a transfer to a bigger team. He signed a contract with Panionios on 23 May 2007.
. Today, Kumordzi thinks his quality on or off-the-ball and height gives him an advantage to be one of the best players of the Ghana national teams especially the Ghana
Olympic
Team http://sport24.gr/html/ent/782/ent.154782.asp.
“I wait to be called upon to wear the colors of the Ghana Under-23 or Senior national team jersey,” said Kumordzi. “There are still unlimited Ghanaian football talents spread across Europe who can become great national football assets that are not being tapped". "Playing in the World Cup for my country is my biggest dream. I will continue to work hard to make it into the Olympic Team and from there I can move onto the next stage. I dream of playing in one of the Top 20 teams in the World" added Kumordzi.
On 20 January 2007, Kumordzi was called up by Ghana's Olympic Team known as the Black Meteors for the 2008 Olympic Games
Qualifier against Burkina Faso Olympic Team
. He also played the two-legged tie of the 2007 All-African Games
qualifying match against Nigeria U-23
, which Ghana won.
On his 22nd Birthday, Kumordzi received his first senior call up for Ghana
, as a direct injury replacement for Ghana captain Stephen Appiah
for Ghana's
FIFA
International friendlies against Austria
and Brazil
on 24 & 27 March 2007. His international debut was against Brazil on March 27, 2007 at the Råsunda Stadium
, Stockholm, Sweden when Ghana lost 0–1.
He scored his first goal for Ghana against Iran National Team
at the Azadi Stadium
in Tehran
on Thursday June 28, 2007.
Kumordzi also told goal.com that he dreams of playing for Arsenal
in the Premier League one day.“I have a secret admiration for Arsenal of England since I want to step into the shoes of former Arsenal superstar, Patrick Vieira
,” the central midfielder told the Ghana FA’s official newspaper, GFA News.
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
ian professional footballer, who currently plays for Superleague Greece club Panionios in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and the Ghana national team
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. He previously played for IFK Norrköping
IFK Norrköping
IFK Norrköping is a Swedish football club based in Norrköping. The club, formed on 29 May 1897, is currently playing in the first division of Swedish football, Allsvenskan...
and more recently Egaleo.
Club career
Kumordzi started his career playing street football at Klagon FC Youth before being snapped up by lower-league side Supreme FC, where he had stints in only two 3rd Division league matches in GhanaGhana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
before leaving for Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
to pursue a European career in 2005 in the city of Norrköping
Norrköping
Norrköping is a city in the province of Östergötland in eastern Sweden and the seat of Norrköping Municipality, Östergötland County. The city has a population of 87,247 inhabitants in 2010, out of a municipal total of 130,050, making it Sweden's tenth largest city and eighth largest...
.Before Kumordzi training At Bordeux.He struggled early on to get a club, until he got a break with a Division 6 amateur club called FC Norrköping where he played as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
though he left Ghana as a central defender. He made a big impression while playing in the division 6 amateur league and he became the leading goal scorer with 17 goals in 11 matches from the offensive midfield role.
During a cup match in July 2005 between FCN amateurs and IK Sleipner
IK Sleipner
Idrottsklubben Sleipner is a sports club in Norrköping, Sweden; the main sports are football and ten-pin bowling. It was founded in 1903, and named after Odin's horse Sleipnir. Currently, the club's senior men's team plays football in the Division 1 Södra...
, a Second Division club, Kumordzi performed magnificently to win the match for his amateur club. Stefan Hellberg, the then-coach of Swedish Superettan
Superettan
Superettan is the second highest league in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 16 Swedish football teams. It was created in 2000. Before that, the second level league in Sweden had been Division 1....
side IFK Norrkoping
IFK Norrköping
IFK Norrköping is a Swedish football club based in Norrköping. The club, formed on 29 May 1897, is currently playing in the first division of Swedish football, Allsvenskan...
, who was at the game, told journalists that he had just discovered a gem. He gave him a trial with his club and Kumordzi jumped four levels from the sixth Division amateurs to the Superettan
Superettan
Superettan is the second highest league in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 16 Swedish football teams. It was created in 2000. Before that, the second level league in Sweden had been Division 1....
(Swedish 2nd Div.). However, he never became a regular starter in the team. His stay there was ended after Kumordzi going on a strike on contractual disputes with his former club FC Norrköping.
Greece
During the strike he had gone to Greece to practice with Greek Super LeagueSuper League Greece
The Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each...
side Egaleo FC
Egaleo FC
Egaleo F.C. is a Greek football club based in Egaleo, a suburb of Athens. Founded in 1931, it currently plays in Greece's fourth division, holding home matches at Stavros Mavrothalassitis Stadium, with a 14,000-seat capacity....
. He signed a five-year contract with the Greek outfit.
“I struck my first goal in the land of Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
in a premiership match against Skoda Xanthi
Skoda Xanthi
Skoda Xanthi F.C. , or F.C. Skoda Xanthi Athletic Club, is a Greek football club, based in the city of Xanthi. The club currently competes in the Super League Greece.-History:...
and after that, many journalist told me that my goal would compete for best goal of the 2006/2007 Greek premiership season” Kumordzi said. He also received plaudits from the Greek media who says he is the true revelation of the season after another superb and goal game against Ergotelis FC
Ergotelis FC
Ergotelis FC is a Greek football club based in Heraklion, the largest city of the Greek island of Crete. The name itself, Ergotelis, was that of a famous ancient Cretan expatriate Olympic runner Ergoteles of Himera.-History:...
.
On 18 January 2007, the Greek FA – Hellenic Football Federation gave Kumordzi the Most Valuable Player award of the 1st Half of the 2006–2007 Greek Super League
Super League Greece
The Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each...
, for his performances in the current season.
Among clubs scouting Kumordzi was German Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen.http://sport24.gr/html/ent/782/ent.154782.asp
His excellent performances were the reason that he gained a transfer to a bigger team. He signed a contract with Panionios on 23 May 2007.
International career
In 2005, Swedish newspaper Folkbladet described and compared Kumordzi to Nigerian International Nwankwo KanuNwankwo Kanu
Nwankwo Kanu, OON , or simply Kanu, is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Portsmouth. He was also a member of the Nigerian national team for 16 years from 1994 until 2010...
. Today, Kumordzi thinks his quality on or off-the-ball and height gives him an advantage to be one of the best players of the Ghana national teams especially the Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
Olympic
Football at the Summer Olympics
Association football, usually known simply as football or soccer, has been included in every Olympiad except 1896 and 1932 as a men's competition sport. Women's football was added to the official programme in 1996.-Early history:...
Team http://sport24.gr/html/ent/782/ent.154782.asp.
“I wait to be called upon to wear the colors of the Ghana Under-23 or Senior national team jersey,” said Kumordzi. “There are still unlimited Ghanaian football talents spread across Europe who can become great national football assets that are not being tapped". "Playing in the World Cup for my country is my biggest dream. I will continue to work hard to make it into the Olympic Team and from there I can move onto the next stage. I dream of playing in one of the Top 20 teams in the World" added Kumordzi.
On 20 January 2007, Kumordzi was called up by Ghana's Olympic Team known as the Black Meteors for the 2008 Olympic Games
Football at the Summer Olympics
Association football, usually known simply as football or soccer, has been included in every Olympiad except 1896 and 1932 as a men's competition sport. Women's football was added to the official programme in 1996.-Early history:...
Qualifier against Burkina Faso Olympic Team
Burkina Faso national football team
The Burkina Faso national football team, nicknamed Les Etalons , is the national team of Burkina Faso and is controlled by the Fédération Burkinabé de Foot-Ball. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta became Burkina Faso...
. He also played the two-legged tie of the 2007 All-African Games
Football at the All-Africa Games
The men's Association football tournament has been held at every session of the All-Africa Games since 1965. Women's competition was added in 2003....
qualifying match against Nigeria U-23
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
, which Ghana won.
On his 22nd Birthday, Kumordzi received his first senior call up for Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
, as a direct injury replacement for Ghana captain Stephen Appiah
Stephen Appiah
Stephen Leroy Appiah is a former Ghana International football midfielder and captain. He is currently a free agent. He has played for several European clubs since 1997 and is currently without a club. Appiah was a member of the Ghana national team, which he has represented at the youth, Olympic,...
for Ghana's
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
International friendlies against Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
and Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
on 24 & 27 March 2007. His international debut was against Brazil on March 27, 2007 at the Råsunda Stadium
Råsunda Stadium
Råsunda Fotbollstadion, also Råsundastadion, Råsunda Stadium or just Råsunda, is a Swedish national football stadium. It is located in Solna Municipality in Metropolitan Stockholm and named after Råsunda, a zone of Solna.-History:...
, Stockholm, Sweden when Ghana lost 0–1.
He scored his first goal for Ghana against Iran National Team
Iran national football team
The national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran...
at the Azadi Stadium
Azadi Stadium
The Azadi Stadium formerly Aryamehr Stadium is Iran's national stadium and the largest in the country. The Azadi stadium officially has a capacity of 100,000 people and was built to host the 1974 Asian Games...
in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
on Thursday June 28, 2007.
Kumordzi also told goal.com that he dreams of playing for Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in the Premier League one day.“I have a secret admiration for Arsenal of England since I want to step into the shoes of former Arsenal superstar, Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira is a retired French footballer of Senegalese descent who is the Football Development Executive at Manchester City....
,” the central midfielder told the Ghana FA’s official newspaper, GFA News.
Honors
- 2006/2007 MVP – 1st Half of Greek Super LeagueSuper League GreeceThe Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each...