The star in the making! How Gameli of Okyeman planners is lacing up in the Division One League.
It is an undeniable fact that football in Ghana has taken a nose-dive, with exception of Asante Kotoko who are seriously engaged in the CAF Confederation, all the rest of both the premiership and the Division One clubs are weighing their muscles in friendly games. Talents and potentials in game have all been put to sleep by the on-going normalization process.
However, in the heart of Eastern region, Okyeman Planners for that matter, Philip Gameli is in the news for the right reasons. Though he is not known in the game, he is not worried by the fact that football is competitively on break, he capitalising on the friendly games to make a statement of intent to selectors of players for the national teams.
Philip has not looked back since he was recruited from Ada based Okor FC. Uncharacteristic of his role as centre-back, the 18 year old has decided to cast himself in the mould of Real Madrid superstar Sergio Ramos, whose offensive ability have always proved vital for the Blancos. Unlike Ramos whose times his zeal to go forward sometimes expose his team, Gameli has a superb recovery rate.
Gameli’s resilience at the back and his ability to organize his department is the reason the Division One have been so successful in their friendly games. Like many defenders, their weakest is their inability to cover up but certainly not 18 year old Philip Gameli. He always plays through his skin to ensure the success of Okyeman. Most people liken him to Liverpool’s Stalwart Virgil Van Dijk, due to his aerial prowess and steadfastness at the back.
The impression must be not created as the media usual way of wiping up support for an unknown player but if an 18 year old can wrestle against a premier league side in the shape of Liberty Professional, marshalled his role well and went on the score sheet, then his name cannot be left to lay in isolation. The youngster was not only lively against Liberty Professionals; he exhibited same ingenuity against former premier league campaigners, Amidaus Professionals.
The frontmen of Unistar Academy, PureJoy would attest to Gameli’s toughest in defence and how he was able to keep them at bay for the entire duration of the games, similarly how he was able to overpower them to score for his side. A centre-back who has come close to over three or more goals in fewer games deserve some amount of attention. There will be those who will question the nature of the matches but the youngster’s consistency is something well noticing.
But for the delay in the commencement of football, Philip Gameli would have been on the radar of the most of the premiership clubs because of his sterling performance with Okyeman Planners especially when centre-backs of his calibre are in short demand in the division.
Potentials are running out in the country hence youngsters like Philip Gameli must be encouraged to stand up to the vacuum.
