Aziz Issah
{{Short description|Ghanaian professional footballer}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Aziz Issah
| image = Abdul Aziz Issah AG23.jpg
| fullname =
| birth_place = Accra, Ghana
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2005|11|20|df=y}}
| height = 1.63 m
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Barcelona B
| clubnumber = 15
| years1 = 2022–
| clubs1 = Dreams
| caps1 = 49
| goals1 = 8
| years2 = 2024–
| clubs2 = → Barcelona B (loan)
| caps2 = 2
| goals2 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2023–
| nationalteam1 = Ghana U20
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2025–
| nationalteam2 = Ghana
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = 19:06, 24 August 2024
| nationalteam-update = 22:53, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
Abdul Aziz Issah (born 20 November 2005) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish club Barcelona Atlètic on loan from Ghana Premier League side Dreams FC, and the Ghana national team.
Issah began his career with Dreams FC's youth team setup before being promoted to its senior team in 2022. Since then, he gained prominence by helping the club win their first-ever Ghana FA Cup trophy, thus gaining qualification for the 2023–24 CAF Confederation Cup. He finished as the joint-top scorer in the latter competition's season alongside then-teammate John Antwi and was a key player in both the Ghana Premier League and FA Cup campaigns. Internationally, Issah was part of the Ghana under-20 team that won gold at the 13th African Games in 2024.
Club career
Issah started his career playing for the youth setup of Dreams FC before being promoted to the senior team in 2022. He made his debut on 17 September 2023 coming on in as a late substitute in the 90th minute for Ishmael Dede in a 1–0 goal over against Kotoku Royals.{{Cite web |title=Match Report of Dreams FC vs Kotoku Royals Rush FC - 2022-09-17 - betPawa Premier League |url=https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2022-09-17/dreams-fc-vs-kotoku-royals-rush-fc/2786206/ |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=Global Sports Archive}} He emerged as a key player for the team in his first season. He quickly emerged as a key player for the team in his debut season, gaining prominence in the Ghana FA Cup. Issah scored the opening goal in the final of the 2022–23 Ghana FA Cup, contributing to Dreams FC's 2–0 victory over King Faisal Babes.{{Cite web |date=18 June 2023 |title=Dreams FC lifts MTN FA Cup with King Faisal win |url=https://www.ghanafa.org/dreams-fc-lifts-mtn-fa-cup-with-king-faisal-win |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=Ghana Football Association}} His performance helped Dreams to secure their first top-flight trophy ever, which also qualified them for the CAF Confederations Cup for the first time in the club's history.{{Cite web |date=19 June 2023 |title=I informed my friends to anticipate my goal - Abdul Aziz Issah after scoring in FA Cup final for Dreams FC |url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/i-informed-my-friends-to-anticipate-my-goal-abdul-aziz-issah-after-scoring-in-fa-cup-final-for-dreams-fc |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=Ghanasoccernet}}{{Cite web |date=19 December 2023 |title=Dreams FC youngster Abdul Aziz Issah eyes Black Stars call-up ahead of 2023 AFCON |url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/dreams-fc-youngster-abdul-aziz-issah-eyes-black-stars-call-up-ahead-of-2023-afcon |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Ghanasoccernet}}
At the end of the season, Issah was nominated for Ghana FA Cup Player of the Season and the Ghana FA Cup Discovery of the Season.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=GFA Awards: Nominees for MTN FA Cup Award categories announced |url=https://www.ghanafa.org/gfa-awards-nominees-for-mtn-fa-cup-award-categories-announced |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=Ghana Football Association}} He won the Discovery of the Season award but lost the Player of the Season title to Samuel Adom Antwi.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=9 September 2023 |title=MTN FA Cup Winners Dreams FC pick three awards at maiden GFA Awards |url=https://www.ghanafa.org/mtn-fa-cup-winners-dreams-fc-pick-three-awards-at-maiden-gfa-awards |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=Ghana Football Association}}
On 5 November 2023, Issah scored a stunning freekick in the 39th minute, securing a 1–0 away victory over Asante Kotoko, marking Dreams FC's first away win of the season and their first-ever Premier League away victory over Asante Kotoko.{{Cite web |last=Bannerman-Quartey |first=Raphael |date=2023-11-05 |title=Match Review : Dreams FC’s Abdul Aziz Issah inflicts pain on Kotoko • Sahara Football |url=https://www.saharafootball.net/match-review-dreams-fcs-abdul-aziz-issah-inflicts-pain-on-kotoko/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=6 November 2023 |title=Disappointed Prosper Ogum urges Asante Kotoko fans to keep supporting team after home loss to Dreams FC |url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/disappointed-prosper-ogum-urges-asante-kotoko-fans-to-keep-supporting-team-after-home-loss-to-dreams-fc |access-date=4 January 2024 |website=Ghanasoccernet}}
Issah continued his excellent form in continental competition. On 3 December 2023, he scored his first continental competition goal, netting the second goal in a 2–1 victory over Rivers United in the group stage of 2023–24 CAF Confederation Cup.{{Cite web |date=3 December 2023 |title=CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams FC pick up first win against Nigeria's Rivers United |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/caf-confederation-cup-dreams-fc-pick-up-first-win-against-nigerias-rivers-united/ |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=My Joy Online |language=}}{{Cite web |date=4 December 2023 |title=Abdul Aziz Issah admits tough battle as Dreams FC triumph over Rivers United in CAF Confederations Cup |url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/abdul-aziz-issah-admits-tough-battle-as-dreams-fc-triumph-over-rivers-united-in-caf-confederations-cup |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=Ghanasoccernet}} In their third group match, he scored again to help Dreams to a 3–2 victory over Angolan side Académica do Lobito sending the team to the top of Group C.{{Cite web |date=10 December 2023 |title=Dreams strike late to edge thriller and go top in Angola |url=https://www.cafonline.com/caf-confederation-cup/news/dreams-strike-late-to-edge-thriller-and-go-top-in-angola/ |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=Confederation of African Football (CAF) |language=}}{{Cite web |date=10 December 2023 |title=CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams FC clinch thrilling away victory against Academica Do Lobito |url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/caf-confederation-cup-dreams-fc-clinch-thrilling-away-victory-against-academica-do-lobito |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=Ghanasoccernet}} His performances led Dreams FC reach the semi-finals of the competition, where he finished as the top goal scorer with four goals and provided two assists in 10 matches.{{Cite web |date=25 August 2024 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Barcelona hand trial to Ghanaian wonderkid Abdul Aziz Issah ahead of possible transfer |url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/exclusive-barcelona-hand-trial-to-ghanaian-wonderkid-abdul-aziz-issah-ahead-of-possible-transfer |access-date=9 September 2024 |website=Ghanasoccernet}} In addition to his contributions in the CAF competition, Issah played a crucial role in Dreams FC's 2023–24 Ghana Premier League campaign, scoring 7 goals in 24 matches. He also maintained his strong form in the FA Cup, netting 4 goals in 5 games.
On 3 September 2024, FC Barcelona announced the loan signing of Issah from Dreams FC for €1 million.{{cite web|date=17 September 2024|title=REVEALED: Barcelona paid 1 million euros for Ghanaian winger Abdul Aziz Issah|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/revealed-barcelona-paid-1-million-euros-for-ghanaian-winger-abdul-aziz-issah|website=Ghana Soccernet|access-date=10 October 2024}} He was assigned to FC Barcelona Atlètic for the 2024–25 season, with the agreement including an option to buy at the end of the loan period, which runs until 30 June 2025.{{Cite web|date=3 September 2024|title=Aziz Issah to join Barça Atlètic on loan|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/barca-b/news/4100640/aziz-issah-to-join-barca-atletic-on-loan|website=FC Barcelona|access-date=6 September 2024}} Abdul Aziz Issah finally resolves his bureaucracy issues and joins Barça Atlétic. On 6 November 2024. Abdul Aziz Issah made his debut match for Barça Atlétic against Real Sociedad B.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-07 |title=Aziz Issah and David Oduro impress in official debut for Barcelona B - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/aziz-issah-and-david-oduro-impress-in-official-debut-for-barcelona-b/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}
In October 2024, he was nominated for the Young Player of the Year,{{Cite web |date=2024-10-24 |title=CAF Awards 2024: Aziz Issah nominated for Young Player of the Year - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/caf-awards-2024-aziz-issah-nominated-for-young-player-of-the-year/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}} and also nominated for the Men's Interclub Player of the Year category at the 2024 CAF Awards.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-24 |title=CAF Awards 2024: Aziz Issah and John Antwi nominated for Interclub Player of the Year - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/caf-awards-2024-aziz-issah-and-john-antwi-nominated-for-interclub-player-of-the-year/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}
International career
Issah was called up to the Ghana under-20 national team in 2023 and was selected for the final Black Satellites team for the 13th African Games, held in Ghana.{{Cite web |last=Tong |first=Vinyl |date=2024-03-06 |title=Aziz Issah named in Black Satellites final squad for African Games |url=https://www.saharafootball.net/aziz-issah-named-in-black-satellites-final-squad-for-african-games/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Sahara Football |language=}}{{Cite web|title=African Games: Aziz Issah joins Head Coach for today’s pre-match presser ahead of Ghana vs Benin |url=https://www.ghanafa.org/african-games-aziz-issah-joins-head-coach-for-todays-pre-match-presser-ahead-of-ghana-vs-benin |access-date=6 September 2024 |website=Ghana Football Association}} On 12 March 2024, in their second group stage match against Gambia, Issah scored Ghana's second goal in a 3–1 victory.{{Cite web|date=12 March 2024 |title=African Games: Red-hot Black Satellites beat Gambia to move on top of Group A |url=https://www.ghanafa.org/african-games-red-hot-black-satellites-beat-gambia-to-move-on-top-of-group-a |access-date=6 September 2024 |website=Ghana Football Association}} He played in all five matches of the tournament, helping the team secure the gold medal in the final against Uganda.{{Cite web |date=4 May 2024 |title=Dreams FC set $1.5 million minimum price-tag for playmaking prodigy and Nottingham Forest target Abdul Aziz Issah |url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/dreams-fc-set-1-5-million-minimum-price-tag-for-playmaking-prodigy-and-nottingham-forest-target-abdul-aziz-issah |access-date=6 September 2024 |website=Ghana Soccernet}}{{Cite web|date=6 September 2024 |title=Black Satellites win Gold after beating Uganda in African Games final |url=https://www.ghanafa.org/black-satellites-win-gold-after-beating-uganda-in-african-games-final |access-date=6 September 2024 |website=Ghana Football Association}}
Abdul Aziz Issah received his first Ghana national football team, the Black Stars call up in the 2025 Unity Cup tournament in London. He could not play in the first game against Nigeria national football team but was able to play against Trinidad and Tobago national football team in the third and fourth match where Black Stars beat their opponent by 4 goals to zero.
Honours
Dreams
Ghana U20
Individual
- Ghana FA Cup Discovery of the Season: 2022–23
- Odartey Lamptey Future Star Award: 2024{{Cite web |date=30 June 2024 |title=2024 Ghana Football Awards: Full list of all winners at the 6th edition |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/2024-Ghana-Football-Awards-Full-list-of-all-winners-at-the-6th-edition-1938007 |website=GhanaWeb}}
- CAF Confederation Cup top scorer: 2023–24
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
External links
- {{GSA player|abdul-aziz-issah/7803779}}
- {{Soccerway|id=923946}}
{{Commons}}
{{FC Barcelona Atlètic squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Issah, Aziz}}
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Ghanaian men's footballers
Category:Ghana men's international footballers
Category:Ghana men's under-20 international footballers
Category:FC Barcelona Atlètic players
Category:Ghana Premier League players
Category:Ghanaian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain
Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in Spain