Salifu Ibrahim

Ibrahim is a graduate UniStar Academy, a Ghana Division One League team. He started his senior career with Techiman Eleven Wonders in August 2018. On 29 December 2019, he made his official debut, coming on in the 69th minute in Wonders 1–0 loss to Asante Kotoko.{{Cite web|title=Match Report of Asante Kotoko SC vs Eleven Wonders FC - 2019-12-29 - Ghana Premier League|url=https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2019-12-29/asante-kotoko-sc-vs-eleven-wonders-fc/1802339/|access-date=2021-11-17|website=Global Sports Archive}} He scored his debut goal in the Ghana Premier League on 9 February 2020 by scoring the winning goal via an assist from Abdul Mugees Zakaria to grant Wonders a 2–1 victory.{{Cite web|date=9 February 2020|title=Match Report of Accra Great Olympics FC vs Eleven Wonders FC - Ghana Premier League|url=https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2020-02-09/accra-great-olympics-fc-vs-eleven-wonders-fc/1802529/|access-date=17 November 2021|website=Global Sports Archive}} The 2020–21 league season was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. At the time of its cancellation, he had played in all 15 league matches, starting in 13 of them and scored 2 goals. Ibrahim's prominence in the Ghana Premier League rose during the first round of the 2020–21 season to the extent that he had reached the stage of being referred to as the poster boy and fan's favourite of the club. During the first round, he played 16 matches, scored one goal, provided 4 assists and won five man of the match awards. Prior to the end of the first round and opening of the transfer window, Ibrahim was linked with several clubs.{{Cite web|last=Kwafo|first=Eric Nana Yaw|date=23 June 2021|title=Hearts of Oak agree deal with Techiman Eleven Wonders for the signing of Ibrahim Salifu|url=https://www.modernghana.com/sports/1061223/hearts-of-oak-agree-deal-with-techiman-eleven-wond.html|access-date=17 November 2021|website=Modern Ghana}}{{Cite web|last=Appiah|first=Samuel Ekow Amoasi|date=23 June 2021|title=Ibrahim Salifu reveals decision to snub Medeama to join Hearts of Oak|url=https://www.modernghana.com/sports/1089729/ibrahim-salifu-reveals-decision-to-snub-medeama.html|access-date=17 November 2021|website=Modern Ghana}} Despite being a reported target of Medeama, Asante Kotoko, Ashanti Gold and Karela United, Eleven Wonders confirmed the transfer of Ibrahim to Accra based club Hearts of Oak on 27 February 2021 for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year deal.{{Cite web|last=Kwafo|first=Eric Nana Yaw|date=17 February 2021|title=Eleven Wonders confirms transfer of midfielder Salifu Ibrahim to Hearts of Oak|url=https://www.modernghana.com/sports/1064559/eleven-wonders-confirms-transfer-of-midfielder.html|access-date=17 November 2021|website=Modern Ghana|language=}}{{Cite web|date=26 January 2021|title=EXCLUSIVE! Hearts of Oak to swoop for Eleven Wonders talisman Salifu Ibrahim, contacts made with player and representatives|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/exclusive-hearts-of-oak-to-swoop-for-eleven-wonders-talisman-salifu-ibrahim-contacts-made-with-player-and-representatives|access-date=17 November 2021|website=GhanaSoccernet}}{{Cite web|date=2021-02-27|title=Salifu Ibrahim confused as Medeama 'clashes' with Hearts for his signature|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Salifu-Ibrahim-confused-as-Medeama-clashes-with-Hearts-for-his-signature-1191007|access-date=2021-02-27|website=GhanaWeb|language=en}}

On 27 February 2021, Accra Hearts of Oak announced that they had signed Ibrahim on a three-year deal.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-27|title=Hearts of Oak announce signing of Eleven Wonders star Salifu Ibrahim|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/hearts-announce-signing-of-eleven-wonders-star-salifu-ibrahim|access-date=2021-02-27|website=GhanaSoccernet|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Mensah|first=Rita|date=1 March 2021|title=#Donkomi: Hearts of oak complete Salifu Ibrahim signing|url=https://citisportsonline.com/2021/02/27/donkomi-hearts-of-oak-complete-salifu-ibrahim-signing/|access-date=19 November 2021|website=Citi Sports Online}} On 7 March 2021, was handed his debut by Samuel Boadu during his first match in charge, coming on as a substitute in the 61st minute for Frederick Ansah Botchway in their 4–0 victory over West Africa Football Academy.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-07|title=Salifu Ibrahim marks Hearts of Oak debut in BIG win over WAFA|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/salifu-ibrahim-marks-hearts-of-oak-debut-in-big-win-over-wafa|access-date=2021-11-17|website=GhanaSoccernet|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Tophic Sienu|first=Sheikh|date=7 March 2021|title=Match report: Hearts of Oak 4-1 WAFA Samuel Boadu era begins with big win over academy boys|url=https://footballmadeinghana.com/2021/03/07/match-report-hearts-of-oak-4-1-wafa-samuel-boadu-era-begins-with-big-win-over-academy-boys/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307205155/https://footballmadeinghana.com/2021/03/07/match-report-hearts-of-oak-4-1-wafa-samuel-boadu-era-begins-with-big-win-over-academy-boys/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=7 March 2021|access-date=17 November 2021|website=Football Made in Ghana}} On 13 May, Ibrahim scored his first competitive goal for Hearts of Oak in a 1–0 defeat of Bechem United at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem.{{Cite web|date=13 May 2021|title=Ibrahim Salifiu scores debut Hearts Of Oak goal in Bechem victory|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Ibrahim-Salifiu-scores-debut-Hearts-Of-Oak-goal-in-Bechem-victory-1259938|access-date=17 November 2021|website=GhanaWeb}} His second goal for the club came on 13 June 2021, in the Phobia's 2–0 victory over Medeama, Samuel Boadu's former club.{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=Hearts of Oak beat Medeama, Sharks slay Wonders, Faisal pip Great Olympics – GPL Round up|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/hearts-of-oak-beat-medeama-sharks-slay-wonders-faisal-pip-great-olympics-gpl-round-up|access-date=2021-11-17|website=ghanafa|publisher=Ghana Football Association|language=en}} He was adjudged the man of the match at the end of the match.{{Cite web|date=14 June 2021|title=Hearts of Oak's Salifu Ibrahim clinches 8th Man of the Match Award|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Hearts-of-Oak-s-Salifu-Ibrahim-clinches-8th-Man-of-the-Match-Award-1285591|access-date=17 November 2021|website=GhanaWeb}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=29 June 2021|title=Ibrahim Salifu named NASCO player of the Month for May|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/ibrahim-salifu-named-nasco-player-of-the-month-for-may|access-date=17 November 2021|website=ghanafa|publisher=Ghana Football Association|language=}} At the end of May 2021, he was adjudged the GPL NASCO Player of the Month for May beating competition from Sam Adams and Ismail Abdul-Ganiyu.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=18 June 2021|title=Nominees for NASCO Player of the Month - May|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/nominees-for-nasco-player-of-the-month-may|access-date=17 November 2021|website=ghanafa|publisher=Ghana Football Association}} His season with Hearts of Oak ended well, as he played 16 league matches, scored two goals, provided 4 assists to help Hearts of Oak to clinch the 2020–21 Ghana Premier League title, their 21st league title after a 12-year trophy drought.

Ibrahim contributed with six appearances in the season's Ghanaian FA Cup, as the tournament ended in a win; in the final against Ashanti Gold, he again came on for the Isaac Mensah late into the second half of a goalless draw, and converted his attempt in the 8–7 penalty shootout triumph.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-08|title=Hearts of Oak beats Ashgold on penalties to win MTN FA Cup|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Hearts-of-Oak-beats-Ashgold-on-penalties-to-win-MTN-FA-Cup-1327882|access-date=2021-08-19|website=GhanaWeb|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-08-08|title=MTN FA Cup 2021 final - Match Report: AshantiGold (7) 0-0 (8) Hearts of Oak - Hearts annex FA Cup after marathon shoot out victory|url=https://ghanasportsonline.com/2021/08/mtn-fa-cup-2021-final-match-report-ashantigold-7-0-0-8-hearts-of-oak-hearts-annex-fa-cup-after-marathon-shoot-out-victory/|access-date=2021-08-18|website=Ghana Sports Online|language=en-US}}

At the end of the season, he was awarded the Ghana Premier League Player of the Season, after scoring 3 goals, providing 8 assists and winning the NASCO man of the match award a record eight times, the highest within the season, beating off competition from West African Football Academy's Augustine Boakye, Karela United's Diawisie Taylor, Great Olympics' captain Gladson Awako and his teammate Benjamin Afutu Kotey.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=1 September 2021|title=Shortlist for NASCO GPL Player of the season announced|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/shortlist-for-nasco-gpl-player-of-the-season-announced|access-date=18 November 2021|website=ghanafa|publisher=Ghana Football Association}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=27 August 2021|title=2020/21 GPL NASCO Coach & Player of the Season announced|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/2020-21-gpl-nasco-coach-player-of-the-season-announced|access-date=18 November 2021|website=ghanafa|publisher=Ghana Football Association}} He was also adjudged the Ghana Football Awards Home-based Player of Year.

On 12 February 2021, Ibrahim was amongst the 32 home-based players called up into the Ghana national football team by the Black Stars head coach C. K. Akonnor for their African Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa and São Tomé and Príncipe.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=12 February 2021|title=C. K Akonnor names home based squad to prepare for AFCON qualifiers|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/c-k-akonnor-names-home-based-squad-to-prepare-for-afcon-qualifiers|access-date=17 November 2021|website=Ghana Football Association}}

Hearts of Oak

• Ghana Premier League: 2020–21{{Cite web|last=Appiah|first=Samuel Ekow Amoasi|date=17 July 2021|title=Hearts of Oak crowned 2020/21 Ghana Premier League champions [Photos]|url=https://www.modernghana.com/sports/1093892/hearts-of-oak-crowned-202021-ghana-premier-league.html|access-date=17 July 2021|website=Modern Ghana|language=en}}
• Ghanaian FA Cup: 2021

Individual

• Ghana Premier League Player of the Season: 2020–21{{Cite web|title=GPL Awards: Hearts of Oak's Boadu and Salifu named NASCO coach and player of the season|url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/gpl-awards-hearts-of-oaks-boadu-and-salifu-named-nasco-coach-and-player-of-the-season/|access-date=2021-08-30|website=My Joy Online|language=en-US}}
• Ghana Football Awards Home-based Player of Year: 2020–21{{Cite web|title=Ghana Football Awards: Full list of winners|url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/ghana-football-awards-full-list-of-winners/|access-date=2021-07-19|website=My Joy Online|publisher=Multimedia Group Limited|language=}}
• Ghana Premier League Player of the Month: May 2021{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=Ibrahim Salifu named NASCO player of the Month for May|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/ibrahim-salifu-named-nasco-player-of-the-month-for-may|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Ghanafa|publisher=Ghana Football Association|language=}}

{{reflist}}

• {{GSA player|salifu-ibrahim/374455}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ibrahim, Salifu}}

Category:2000 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Brong-Ahafo Region

Category:Ghanaian men's footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Techiman Eleven Wonders FC players

Category:Accra Hearts of Oak S.C. players

Category:Football Superleague of Kosovo players

Category:FC Drita players

Category:Ghana Premier League players

Category:21st-century Ghanaian sportsmen