Ghanaian players abroad team of the week: Otoo, Ayew, Mensah, Asante feature in this week's TOTW

After the conclusion of weekend games across the globe, Ghana’s leading football website, GHANASoccernet.com bring to you our maiden best 11 Ghanaian players in the various leagues.

Adam Kwarasey (Valenranga- Norway)

I always find it difficult to pick a player who was on the losing side but I have to admit that by far Kwarasey has been Ghana’s best safest pair of hands in abroad. Kwarasey’s Valeranga had not tasted defeat in their last three outings, so facing one of the giants of the league, Molde, coach Ronny Deiler’s charges were brimming with confidence but it was the away side who took their chances and could have scored more had it not being for Kwarasey, who made two crucial saves when it appeared they were on the brink of being annihilated in front of their boisterous fans. I believe the 29-year-old’s performances over the past weeks should merit a return to the Black Stars.

Dennis Appiah (Anderlecht- Belgium)

This is the French-born Ghanaian’s debut appearance in my team of the week, and he fully deserves it due to the great performance he put up against KAS Eupen on Saturday. Appiah hasn’t had a smooth season for Anderlecht this campaign and was mooted to be heading for the exit in the January transfer window but he didn’t barge to the pressure coming from the press. He was unplayable as he created the third goal and he took absolute control his flank with pace and power, which reminded me of his days at French club Caen.

Baba Mensah (Ilves- Finland)

The former Inter Allies has taken the Finnish League by storm with his superlative displays for Ilves. Since joining the club in mid-season, Mensah has been the team’s main man at the back. He was a stalwart for Ilves in the weekend’s 1-0 win at Mariehamn as his assured displays and organizational sense helped in difficult times.

Joseph Aidoo (KRC Genk-Belgium)

This was a very solid performance by the entire Genk back four but on this occasion it was marshalled and led by Joseph Aidoo at the heart of their defence. The former Inter Allies is having a decent run of games at the moment. I have already gone on record and said if Genk are going to give Anderlecht and Club Brugge for their run of monies in the league then Aidoo has to continue on this path.

Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus-Italy)

He's only done it again. Kwadwo Asamoah keeps producing the goods for Juventus anytime he’s been called upon by Max Allegri. His first ball was, in my view, the pass of the match. The Ghana international split AC Milan’s defence in two and sent Gonzalo Higuain on his way to score his 100^th goal in the Serie A.

Joseph Attamah (Istanbul-Basaksehir)

Attamah will hold the central midfield in my team of the week, and it will not be the first time he’ll be playing in such position. In Basaksehir’s 2-1 win against Akhisar Genclik Spor, Attamah adhered himself as a right back. The former Tema Youth defender was astute in his decision making and had a hand in the build up to the first goal.

Ernest Asante (FC Nordsjaelland-Denmark)

The winger cum striker continues to deliver the goals for FC Nordsjaelland, and he was at it again over the weekend when he plundered his eleventh goal of the league. His pace and dribbling caused Aarhus so much worry but the manner in which he took his chance was splendid.

Bernard Mensah (Kasimpasa-Turkey)

Turkish delight for Bernard Mensah. The Atletico Madrid loanee struck powerfully from the penalty arch after receiving a neat back flick pass. He again played a role in his side’s third goal after he set-up Strahil Popov who wrapped up victory for the home side.

Andre Ayew (West Ham-England)

After being chastised by the Hammers fans early on in the season, Andre Ayew has fought off those set-backs to become the star man for the club. He climbed off the bench in midweek in the Carabao Cup when West Ham was down by two goals to score a brace. He kept up that form over the weekend with a goal for the side against Crystal Palace to rescue a point for them.

Kwadwo Poku (Miami FC-USA)

Kwadwo Poku’s two goals against Edmonton were enough to win the regular NASL title for Miami FC. He scored right, but that was just a tip of his overall performance on the day. Poku had gone seven games without a goal and for most strikers it would have destroyed their confidence but not Poku. On the day, he was unplayable, and it was no surprise that after the game he was singled out for praise by coach Alessandro Nesta.

Mahatma Otoo (Balisekir-Turkey)

I was arguing with my colleagues the other day about Otoo returning to the Black Stars fold but none of them were on the same page with me. However, I hope after this week they would understand where I am coming from. I don’t remember the last time a Ghanaian striker scored five goals in three consecutive games- I stand to be corrected though. I watched Otoo last week against Gaziantepsor and I thought it was a flash in the pan but to continue in that vein over the weekend against Adanaspor, who have been one of the leading teams in the league, I believe the sky is only the limit for the former Hearts of Oak poacher.

Follow me on Twitter @Reuben Obodai

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