FRANK AMANKWA Heffecting one of his trademark long throw-ins for the Black Meteors against Spain in the semi-final of Barcelona 1992 Olympics.
PROFILE:
Amankwah started his career with Kumapim Stars in the Ghana topflight league in1988/90 season. Kotoko poached him later to gradually replace the ageing Ernest Appau at right back. He played for Kotok from 1990 to 1996 before he travelled to Europe to continue his career.
He started his national team career with th Black Satellites in 1989, as they failed to qualify for the FIFA World Youth Championship. He then graduated with the likes of Shamo Quaye and Ablade Kumah to the Black Meteors as they qualified Ghana’s to its first Olympic games finals since 1976. They won bronze and made history as the first African medalists in Olympic football.
Amankwah was already part of the Black Stars team since 1990. He cemented a permanent position with the Black Stars at AFCON 1994 in Tunisia and never looked back till 1998. Amankwah played 2 AFCONS for Ghana in 1994 and 1996.
He part of the CAF Team of the Tournament in AFCON 1994. He was also selected along side Abedi Pele (only Ghanaians) to play the meridian cup as Africa select side beat Europe select side 2-1 in France in 1997. Abedi Pele scored a world class winner in that match.
At club side, he was a member lf the Kotoko team that won the league title 3 consecutive times feom 1991 to 1993. He was played a crucial in the Kotoko team that played the final of the 1993 CAF Champions league (then Africa Cup for Champion Clubs competition).
STYLE OF PLAY:
Amankwah was an attacking right back, making surging runs up.snd down (overlapping) along the right flanks to support the midfield and attack by way of passes, crosses, assists and ocassionally shooting from a distance. He had immense speed/ pace to always immediately run back to cover his position soon as his team loses possession.
Amankwah was also very strong and could match up any left winger any day. No wonder he was nicknamed ‘Bayereba’. He introduced the long incisive throw-ins as though corner kicks in Ghana football (as pictured).