Abedi Pele vs Michael Essien
Ghana against Ghana. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Abedi Pele
Ghana · 1982–93 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 89
- Rank in Ghana
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 73 · 33 goals
- Clubs
- Olympique de Marseille, Lille OSC, TSV 1860 München
His corner in Munich on 26 May 1993 found Basile Boli's head and beat Milan, making Marseille the first French club to win the European Cup. African Footballer of the Year went to him three years running from 1991 to 1993, and he also won two French championships, the Nations Cup at 17 in 1982, and player of the tournament in 1992, when suspension kept him out of the final Ghana lost. Career record: 73 caps and 33 goals for Ghana; club career at Olympique de Marseille, Lille OSC, TSV 1860 München.
Michael Essien
Ghana · 2005–12 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Ghana
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 59 · 9 goals
- Clubs
- SC Bastia, Olympique Lyonnais, Chelsea
Nine minutes into the semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge on 6 May 2009, a Barcelona clearance dropped to Essien 25 yards out and he volleyed it in off the underside of the bar. He won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, two Premier League titles and four FA Cups there, back-to-back Ligue 1 titles at Lyon, and took Ligue 1 Player of the Year in 2005 and BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2006. Career record: 59 caps and 9 goals for Ghana; club career at SC Bastia, Olympique Lyonnais, Chelsea.
The verdict
The almanac puts Michael Essien ahead by 1 rating point, 90 against 89.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.