Ghana has never been short of goal machines, but who would you rate as the best? Ace Football has a go by listing the five greatest Ghanaian strikers of all time.
Goals decide games, there is simply no other way around it. Every team needs that special bit of firepower upfront, a striker who can put the ball into the back of the net to make the difference.
Of course, scoring isn’t the only requirement for a striker these days. Some forwards do link-up play, others press, the odd one does hold-up play or perhaps bullies’ defenses. Either way, it’s not an easy job.
But Ghana has had no shortage of talent in this department, prompting Ace Football to take a look at the five best Ghanaian strikers to emerge from the 
West African nation.
Edward Acquah
We kick things off by winding the clock back to the 60s when a certain Edward Acquah was at his peak.
The Takoradi-native famously scored twice in the 1963 Africa Cup of Nations final to lead Ghana to a 3-0 win over Sudan, securing the Black Stars the first of their four AFCON titles. He finished the tournament with four goals and later represented the national team in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
According to stats from the RSSSF, Acquah scored 45 goals in 41 games for Ghana. He is the West African nation’s second-highest scorer in history, behind only Asamoah Gyan.
The former Eleven Wise and Real Republicans star, known as ‘the man with a sputnik shot’ back in the day, sadly passed away aged 76 in October 2011.
Dan Owusu
Dan Owusu was the first player to finish as the top scorer in the Ghana Premier League three times in a row, between 1974 and 1976.
The former striker formed a lethal partnership with the late Kwesi Owusu at Bofoakwa Tano. The pair often terrorized defenses, scoring a handful of goals between them. In fact, Dan viewed Kwesi as a mentor.
Dan also played for Ghanaian clubs Asante Kotoko and BA United, before he entered management. The ex-Ghana international has since coached the likes of former side Bofoakwa and Bechem United.
Kwasi Owusu
Another legendary Ghanaian striker to make the list is the late Kwesi Owusu.
The former Black Stars captain, nicknamed ‘Powerhouse’, bagged 36 goals in 52 games for Ghana. He was part of the team that finished as runners-up in the 1970 AFCON tournament, while also featuring in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Perhaps Owusu’s most famous moment, though, was scoring nine goals in a two-legged AFCON qualifier against Niger in 1969. He scored five times in the first leg and added four more goals to his account in the return fixture, sealing the Black Stars qualification for the 1970 tournament.
The former Bofoakwa Tano striker died aged 74 in March 2020.
Tony Yeboah
Out of all the Ghanaian footballers in history, Anthony ‘Tony’ Yeboah was one of the most successful in Europe.
The Kumasi-native was a huge hit at English Premier League side Leeds United, scoring some 
memorable goals and 
winning the club’s Player of the Year in only his second season at Elland Road.
Yeboah also won 
back-to-back Bundesliga Golden Boot awards at 
Eintracht Frankfurt 
between 1993 and 1994 and in the Ghana Premier League in 1986 and 1987 for Cornerstones.
The 1997 Ghana 
Footballer of the Year scored 26 times in 59 appearances at international level. He bagged top-three finishes in the 1992 and 1993 African Footballer of the Year awards, while also finishing ninth in the 1993 FIFA World Player of the Year poll.
Asamoah Gyan
Thanks to his superior contributions to the national team, Asamoah Gyan just gets the nod over Tony Yeboah as Ace Football’s top pick for the greatest Ghanaian strikers of all time.
The former Black Stars skipper managed a record of 51 goals and 109 caps during his international career. He represented Ghana at three World Cups – 2006, 2010, and 2014 – and helped them reach the knockouts twice. His performances earned him a 
Ballon d’Or nomination in 2010.
Gyan became Africa’s record scorer in World Cup history in 2014 with six goals to his name.
The two-time Ghana Player of the Year, like Yeboah, also ventured abroad in his club career. He enjoyed some memorable stints at clubs like 
Sunderland in England and Al Ain, where he became the UAE Pro League’s top scorer three times in a row between 2011 and 2014.
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Africa Cup of Nations
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
