Ibrahim Sunday vs Michael Essien
Ghana against Ghana. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Ibrahim Sunday
Ghana · 1968–75 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Ghana
- #8 of 33
- Clubs
- Asante Kotoko, SV Werder Bremen, VSK Osterholz-Scharmbeck
In January 1971 he led Asante Kotoko into the 20 May Stadium in Kinshasa and came away with a 2-1 win over TP Englebert that made them champions of Africa for the first time. African Footballer of the Year in 1971, he added seven Ghanaian league titles, reached the Africa Cup of Nations final in 1968 and 1970, and in 1975 became the first African to play in the Bundesliga. Career record: club career at Asante Kotoko, SV Werder Bremen, VSK Osterholz-Scharmbeck.
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.