Ghana has produced some dead-ball experts within the last two decades with Stephen Oduro and Bernard Don Bortey leaving indelible memories for Ghanaian football lovers who were blessed with by their respective talents.
But, teenager Benjamin Mireku’s grace, finesse and subtlety at executing free-kick is quickly elevating him above the local demigods and has been likened to English legend David Beckham and Brazilian magician Juninho.
The 17-year-old offensive midfielder has become reputable for converting free-kicks with cheeky ease in Ghana’s second-tier league.
Seven (7) of his 9 league goals from 21 games have come by way of free-kick.
Mireku, who is on the books of Tema City FC, is an intriguing prospect and is attracting foreign interests with Spanish and Italian clubs hotly on his wheels.
Mireku plays in the city where Atletico Madrid imported Thomas Teye Partey from Ghana to their junior team and Ghana Sports sources reveal the Wonda Metropolitano giants are harbouring intentions of landing him.
A natural midfielder with superb passing and dribbling abilities, Mireku proved versatile enough to lead the offense from a forward role, landing wonderful assists and grabbing goals for himself.
The 5.8ft midfielder possesses creative vision that is only matched by his precision of passing and calibrations.
Though Ghana is known to be the hub for modern midfielders from the continent, Mireku’s technique with the ball is rewriting the blueprint of what is needed to succeed as an elite central midfielder from Africa – that ability to dictate proceedings formed the nucleus for his game.
If Ghana is to export another breed of Michael Essiens, Sulley Muntaris, Derek Boatengs, Laryea Kingston and Kwadwo Asamoahs abroad then Mireku personifies that new generation in its purist form.
“[Benjamin] Mireku is almost the best midfield talent you could find around the country. I’ve scouted a sometime now and seen many great prospects but his is something else. If he keeps his focus and dedication to the game he could be as great as Juninho and Becks with his free-kick,” one of Ghana’s leading scouts told Ghana Sports.
