Benjamin Afutu

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Benjamin Afutu
Personal information
Full name Benjamin Afutu Kotey
Date of birth (1996-05-02) 2 May 1996 (age 25)
Place of birth Ghana
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Hearts of Oak
Number 8
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017 Karela United 25 (5)
2018– Hearts of Oak 57 (7)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17 August 2021

Benjamin Afutu Kotey (born 2 May 1996) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ghanaian Premier league side Accra Hearts of Oak.[1]

Career[]

Karela United[]

Afutu played for Karela United when they played in the Ghana Division One League.[2] During the 2017 season, he played 25 league matches, made 7 assists and scored 5 goals to help them win the Division One League Zone II and secure promotion into the Ghana Premier League.[2]

Hearts of Oak[]

Afutu joined Ghana Premier League side Accra Hearts of Oak in December 2017, after impressing the technical team during pre-season trials. He signed a three-year deal ahead of the 2018 season. On 29 April 2018, he came on in the an 80th minute substitute for Joseph Esso to make his debut in a 1–0 rivalry match against Asante Kotoko.[3] He only featured in 4 league matches in his debut season before the league was cancelled due to the Number 12 expose.

During the 2019 GFA Normalization Special Competition, he played 11 out of 14 league matches to help Hearts win their Group and progress to the semi-finals. However they lost to Asante Kotoko via a penalty shootout. He continued to play a key role in the team by playing 13 of the 15 league matches and scored 2 goals in the 2019–20 season as the league was again cancelled, this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana.

In 2020, there were reports that he was refusing to extend his contract with the club hoping on getting a better contract renewal or signing for a new club.[4][5] However, later signed a 1-year contract extension after negotiations with the club.[6] Afutu was ever present in the club's historic 2020–21 domestic double success.[7] He played 29 league matches, scored 5 goals from a defensive midfield position whilst winning man of the match awards against Elmina Sharks[8] and Berekum Chelsea[9] to help Hearts win their 21st league title after a 12-year trophy drought.[10] He scored two goals on Heart's road to the 2021 Ghanaian FA Cup final. On 8 August, Afutu won the Ghanaian FA Cup following a 8–7 penalty shoot-out victory over Ashanti Gold at Accra Sports Stadium in the final, after a goalless draw in extra-time; Afutu played the full 90 minutes and in the shoot-out, he took Hearts' tenth penalty, which was saved by Kofi Mensah.[11]

Honours[]

Karela United

Hearts of Oak

References[]

  1. ^ "The ultimate 18-team Ghana Premier League season guide 2020/21 - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Frank Nuttall orders Hearts of Oak to sign former Karela United midfielder Benjamin Kotey". GhanaSoccernet. 29 December 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Match Report of Asante Kotoko SC vs Accra Hearts of Oak SC - 2018-04-29 - Zylofon Cash Premier League - Global Sports Archive". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Ghana Premier League: Benjamin Afutu not interested in renewing Hearts of Oak contract". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Kotey in hide and seek with Hearts". Graphic Online. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Midfielder Benjamin Afutu signs new 3-year contract with Hearts of Oak". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  7. ^ "MTN FA Cup final: Hearts of Oak beat AshantiGold on penalties to win the double - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  8. ^ "2020/21 Ghana Premier League: Benjamin Afutu wins MVP in Hearts of Oak's win over Elmina Sharks". GhanaSoccernet. 16 May 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  9. ^ "2020/21 Ghana Premier League: Hearts of Oak's Benjamin Afutu wins MOTM in Berekum Chelsea success". GhanaSoccernet. 31 May 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  10. ^ a b Appiah, Samuel Ekow Amoasi (17 July 2021). "Hearts of Oak crowned 2020/21 Ghana Premier League champions [Photos]". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  11. ^ a b "Hearts of Oak beats Ashgold on penalties to win MTN FA Cup". GhanaWeb. 8 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.

External links[]

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