Andre Ayew vs Michael Essien
Ghana against Ghana. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Andre Ayew
Ghana · 2009–15 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Ghana
- #7 of 33
Ghana were a goal down to Germany in Fortaleza on 21 June 2014 when Ayew climbed to head the equaliser in the 54th minute, and the game finished 2-2 against the eventual world champions. Ghana's Under-20 World Cup win in 2009 remains his one world title, and he added Nations Cup runner-up medals in 2010 and 2015 with the golden boot in 2015, BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2011, and Ghana's appearance record.
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 4 rating points, 90 against 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.