Isaac Boakye
Encyclopedia
Isaac Boakye is a Ghana
ian International football striker who is currently a free agent
.
in Ghana. He later transferred to Goldfields Obuasi. In 2001, he went on trials at Swedish Club Norrköping
. After the trials he joined Ghanaian 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 1. 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 Nuremberg. After two and a half years with Nuremberg, the contract was cancelled in December 2010.
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 Zimbabwe
an 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 team-mates 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.
But as one of Africa's brightest stars fades, so another one is discovered.
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, the super sub will forever 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.
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.
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, who plays for German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, has not featured in the Black Stars squad since September 2005 after falling out with previous coach Ratomir Dujkovic.
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 International football striker who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
.
Professional career
The powerful Striker started his career at Ghapoha Readers, a Club based in the Harbor City of TemaTema
Tema is a city on the Atlantic coast of Ghana, lying east of the Ghanaian capital city, Accra, in the region of Greater Accra. As of 2005, Tema had a population of 209,000. The Greenwich Meridian passes directly through the city...
in Ghana. He later transferred to Goldfields Obuasi. In 2001, he went on trials at Swedish Club 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...
. After the trials he joined Ghanaian Club Asante Kotoko
Asante Kotoko
Asante Kotoko Football Club, also known as Asante Kotoko, is one of the biggest and most successful football clubs in Ghana as well as being one of the more successful teams in Africa, having won twenty national league titles. They have also twice been champions of Africa. The club's home ground is...
, then went on trials at Turkish Club Ankaragücü
Ankaragücü
MKE Ankaragücü is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Ankara. The club wears a yellow and navy kit and play their home matches at Ankara 19 Mayis....
.
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
Arminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
in the 2. Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
and kept his eyes squarely focused on Ghana’s big prize - the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
. 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 1. Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
soon. Bielefeld is doing well now, and the football is very competitive. That’s good for me.”
Competitive perhaps but the bustling Kumasi
Kumasi
Kumasi is a city in southern central Ghana's Ashanti region. It is located near Lake Bosomtwe, in the Rain Forest Region about northwest of Accra. Kumasi is approximately north of the Equator and north of the Gulf of Guinea...
native has been having little trouble finding the net in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. 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
Arminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
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
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
.
In the summer of 2006 Isaac Boakye joined the German first division club Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg is a professional German association football club based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, who play in the Bundesliga football competition. Wolfsburg have won the Bundesliga once in their history, in the 2008–09 season, and were DFB-Pokal runners-up in 1995. The current head coach is Felix...
. The striker signed a three-year contract. In January 2008 he was loaned to 1. FSV Mainz 05
1. FSV Mainz 05
1. Fußball- und Sportverein Mainz 05 e. V., usually shortened to 1. FSV Mainz 05, Mainz 05, or simply Mainz, is a 1905 founded German association football club based in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate. In addition to the football section the 1. FSV Mainz 05 has a handball and table tennis department...
. 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
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
club 1. FC Nuremberg. After two and a half years with Nuremberg, the contract was cancelled in December 2010.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | Division | League | Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| 2011 2011 in Norwegian football The 2011-season is the 106. season of competitive football in Norway.The season began on 18 March 2011 for Tippeligaen, 03 April 2011 for Adeccoligaen, with Fair Play ligaen and 3. Divisjon both starting six days later on 09 April 2011. 2. Divisjon, and 3... |
Vålerenga | Tippeligaen Tippeligaen Tippeligaen is a Norwegian professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Norwegian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. The league is also unofficially known under its neutral name Eliteserien , although the name has never been official... |
7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 4 |
| Career Total | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 4 | ||
International career
When GhanaGhana 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...
gave Boakye his first cap on 3 June 2001, he sent Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe national football team
The Zimbabwe national football team, nicknamed The Warriors, is the national team of Zimbabwe and is controlled by the Zimbabwe Football Association. They were known as the Southern Rhodesia national football team from 1939–1964, then the Rhodesia national football team until 1980, when Rhodesia...
into mourning by scoring an injury time winning goal to knock “the Warriors” out of qualification for 2002 African Cup of Nations in Mali
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
. That late goal sent Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
an sports commentator
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the 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
George Weah
George Tawlon Manneh Oppong Ousman Weah is a Liberian humanitarian and politician, and an ex-footballer. He ran unsuccessfully for president in the 2005 election, losing to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the second round of voting...
temporarily into retirement after he scored the winner against Liberia
Liberia national football team
The Liberia national football team, nicknamed the Lone Stars, is the national team of Liberia and is controlled by the Liberia Football Association. Although the country produced the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year, George Weah, they have never reached the World Cup finals...
in Monrovia
Monrovia
Monrovia is the capital city of the West African nation of Liberia. Located on the Atlantic Coast at Cape Mesurado, it lies geographically within Montserrado County, but is administered separately...
. 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
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
.
Stones were thrown at Weah and his team-mates after the match and the Liberia
Liberia national football team
The Liberia national football team, nicknamed the Lone Stars, is the national team of Liberia and is controlled by the Liberia Football Association. Although the country produced the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year, George Weah, they have never reached the World Cup finals...
star, incensed by the behaviour of the fans, announced his retirement - a decision he rescinded a few days later.
But as one of Africa's brightest stars fades, so another one is discovered.
He was part of the Ghanaian
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...
2002 African Nations Cup team, who exited in the quarter-finals after losing to Nigeria
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...
, having finished second in Group B. Coming on as a substitute, the super sub will forever 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
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...
.
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
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
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 Cup2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
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.
Constant Injury Worries
Boakye was named in Ghana’s 2004 OlympicFootball at the 2004 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 2004 Summer Olympics started on 11 August, , and ended on 28 August.The men's tournament is played by U-23 national teams, with up to three over age players allowed per squad...
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
Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 2004 Summer Olympics started on 11 August, , and ended on 28 August.The men's tournament is played by U-23 national teams, with up to three over age players allowed per squad...
, 2006 African Cup of Nations
2006 African Cup of Nations
-Group B:---------------------Group C:---------------------Group D:---------------------Knockout stage:-Quarter-finals:-------------Semi-finals:-----Third-place play-off:-Final:-Scorers:...
and the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
.
He was down on his luck when he recently joined the Wolves from Bundesliga rivals Arminia Bielefeld
Arminia Bielefeld
DSC Arminia Bielefeld is a German sports club from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. Arminia offers the sports of football, field hockey, figure skating and cue sports. The club has 11,394 members and the club colours are black, white and blue...
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
Saalfelden
Saalfelden is a town in the Austrian state of Salzburg and is the administrative centre of the Pinzgauer Saalachtal...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. 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, who plays for German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, has not featured in the Black Stars squad since September 2005 after falling out with previous coach Ratomir Dujkovic.
External links
- Isaac Boakye at kicker.de