In the concluding parts of the FCPPL season review, the Joy Sports team chooses the season’s best 11.
Our 8-man technical team comprised of:

- Benedict Owusu

- Eric Asiedu Boadi (Adom Sports)

- Gary Al-Smith

- George Addo Jnr

- Ghali Abdul-Salam

- Immortal Agyarkwa Acheampong (Asempa Sports)

- Ibrahim Ridwan Asante

- Kweku Arhin

Criteria

Our technical team gave premium to consistency as well as how the players impacted their clubs in the course of the season. And most importantly, each player should have made more than 15 league appearances for his club.

The Joy Sports FCPPL 2014/15 XI 

The team will line-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

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GOALKEEPER: OSEI KWAME (INTER-ALLIES)

The Inter Allies keeper proved to be the safest pair of hands for the Tema side. 13 clean sheets in 27 league appearances for the 20-year old keeper was impressive and his efforts, duly, did not go unnoticed as he won the club's Player of the Month award in June. Osei conceded 18 goals all season, an average of 0.67 goals per game. His good reflexes and precocious command of the defense proved to be his greatest asset.

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RIGHT BACK: AMOS KORANKYE (HASAACAS)

Don't be fooled by his relaxed posture here. 

The Hasmal full-back was one of the brightest spots for the Sekondi side in an inconsistent season. The young full back was a delight to watch all season as he raided the opposition’s wings as well as performing his defensive responsibilities efficiently. Korankye was a powerful tackler blessed with pace as he got the better of opposing attackers time and again. In addition to this, Korankye packs a bullet in his throw ins which is reminiscent of Rory Delap of Stoke.

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LEFT BACK: JOSHUA TIJANI (ASHGOLD)

The experienced left-back was a marauding figure down the left flank for the Miners, providing stability in defence as well as a useful option going forward with pin-point crosses into dangerous areas. He was a consistent figure throughout the season and was justifiably chosen as the starting left-back in Ghana’s abortive CHAN team at the Cosafa Cup. A modern day full-back, Tijani performed both his offensive and defensive responsibilities with aplomb.

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CENTER BACK: BABA MENSAH (INTER ALLIES)

The Inter Allies center-back was one of the most assured defenders in the league as he hardly put a foot wrong all season. In his 23 appearances, he proved a commanding figure at the back organizing and marshalling a well-built defence which chalked more clean sheets than any other club. Baba’s aerial prowess and good timing of tackles meant Inter Allies were impregnable at the back in most games. Aside his physical attributes, Baba proved to be a good leader on the pitch as he oozed confidence. And it was no surprise that he stepped up for penalty duties, too, scoring three from the spot.

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CENTER BACK: AHMED ADAMS (KOTOKO)\

Kotoko were in desperate need of leaders on the pitch following an awful start to the season, and it was the former Berekum Chelsea man who filled the role. His assured performances over the course of the season, especially as Kotoko had to do without the influential Abeiku Ainooson for key games due to injury, gave Adams a bigger stature. Strong in the air and solid on the ground, the wiry player had good tackling as one of his attributes. While defensive partnerships chopped and changed throughout the season, Adams remained constant at the heart of the defence.

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DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD: MALIK AKOWUAH (MEDEAMA)

In a season where Medeama’s team was mainly dominated by youngsters, Malik was one of the few older heads. He was assigned responsibility of controlling affairs from middle. He performed excellently, providing grit and power in the middle as well as a decent range of passes. The former AshGold midfielder brought all his league experience to the fore this season as he churned out solid and consistent performances on a weekly basis.

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DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD: MOHAMMED KADRI (ASHGOLD)

The versatile player has been the toast of the fans in Obuasi with splendid all round play throughout the season. Kadri, who is in his second season with the Obuasi side, was an asset in offensive and defensive senses. In defence his tackling and marking proved to be his hallmark. Kadri took absolutely no prisoners. The youngster was employed at the heart of defence on occasion but always stepped up into midfield, even during those times. While in the heart of midfield, Kadri injected pace and drove the team forward with power and energy. A consistent all round player, a coach’s dream!

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RIGHT WINGER: ZAKARIA MUMUNI (WAFA)

Pace, technique and skill. These three words perfectly described the output of the young attacking talent who has been one of the standouts this season. At 18, his talent is frightening. A fearless competitor all season despite his age, 'Zak' embraced all the challenges. It was his skill and pace made that him a delight to watch as he undid opposition full-backs time and again. Eight goals did not hurt his reputation either, neither does the fact that he scored three of those consecutively. The league's Player of the Month for June award summed up his excellent first year in the top flight.

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CENTRAL ATTACKING MIDFIELD: KWASI DONSU (MEDEAMA)

Kwasi who? 

That was the exact reaction from a section of fans who had little or no knowledge of the guy. But in the course of the season, Donsu has shown hard work rather than fame will make you successful. The youngster is not one to mesmerize or be flashy; he just wants to be efficient. The midfielder has consistently proven to be an attacking outlet for the young Medeama side as they performed admirably in the league. Donsu has been effective as he did the simplest but pragmatic things to great effect. He may have gained good notoriety in the FA Cup where he bagged the goal king award, but his league consistency all season has proven to be his major hall mark, really.

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LEFT WING: ERIC DONKOR (KOTOKO)

A year ago, placing Donkor as a winger would have been perceived to be an error but after a tactical masterstroke from David Duncan, he is now regarded as the best pure left footed winger in the league. Pin-point crosses have been his major strength all season as he provided 11 assists for his team mates. Inter Allies' Fredrick Yamoah, who played all 30 games this season proved to be a likely contender but Donkor’s defensive contribution gave him the nod. In a country where the conversion of set pieces has always been a problem, Donkor made Kotoko an exception. The Porcupines always went into games confident in his ability. His assists from corners against Ashantigold and Hearts of Oak are evidence of the youngster’s prowess.

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FORWARD: NATHANIEL ASAMOAH

The experienced striker gets the nod ahead of goal king, Kofi Owusu (Berekum Chelsea), despite leaving the league for a move abroad with a few games to go. Asamoah missed the early parts of the second round and its concluding part but he had already made his mark. Blessed with pace and power, Asamoah was a consistent thorn in the flesh of defenders as he harassed them for ninety minutes non-stop. Had he stayed a week or two more, he would certainly have been the top scorer.

SUBSTITUTES 

Ofori Antwi (GK, Kotoko), Amos Frimpong (DF, Kotoko), Kennedy Ashia (CAM, Liberty), Kwame Boahene (RW, Medeama), Latif Anabila (CDM, Edubiase), Kofi Owusu (FW, Berekum Chelsea), Nicholas Mensah (CB, Wa All Stars).

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

- Lawrence Lartey (CB, AshGold): We believe he had a good season but he did not play more than 15 games for AshGold mainly due to numerous national callups to the local Black Stars for the CHAN and to captain Meteors in Olympic/All Africa Games qualifiers.

- Nuhu Fuseini (FW, Edubiase): We chose Nathaniel Asamoah ahead of him because the Medeama man scored more goals in fewer games and also because Nathaniel was more enterprising in his play. 

- Eric Opoku (CDM, AshGold): A very good player. But his teammate Mohammed Kadri, who was used in about four positions, appealed to us more due to his versatility.

- Felix Annan (GK, WAFA): The former Kotoko man had an impressive season but our team gave higher marks to Osei Kwame (Inter Allies) and Ofori Antwi (Kotoko).

- Robin Gnagne (CB, Hearts): Clearly a leader, but just too showy.

- Osman Muntaka (CAM, Heart of Lions): Scored six goals, and made key assists but the quality - and impact - of those we named is just better.

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Get more league reviews

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+ OTI ADJEI: An expert's alternative FCPPL season review
+ Joy Sports FCPPL Season Review: Stats and numbers round-up 
+ 7 things we learned from #SurvivalSunday
+ 60 photos that tell the FCPPL 2014/15 season story
+Joy Sports Season Review: Top 10 flops
+ Survival Sunday: Olympics, Lions relegated as Kotoko ensure safety

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Follow Kweku on Twitter: @nana_odum, Eric @EricoFya, Ridwan @RidwanAsante, George @addojunr, Immortal @ImmortalAcheampong, Ghali @ghas01, Benedict @KwesiBenedict, and Gary @garyalsmith. Get more updates on Facebook/Twitter with the #JoySports hashtag