Afriyie Acquah

Early career

Born in Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana, Acquah began his career at Glentoran Football Academy in Sunyani, Ghana, which was established by Christopher Forsythe an Irish National from Sunyani. During his Glentoran career, Acquah was awarded "Best Ghanaian Midfielder Under-14". He later transferred to Bechem United as the Northern Irish club was unable to sign him, due to work permit issues, despite travelling with Christopher Forsythe to Belfast to train with the first team. In April 2009, he played for Bechem United against Italian club Empoli.

Palermo

On 1 February 2010, Palermo signed Acquah from Ghanaian club D.C. United Agogo for free, but €500,000 agent fee went to SCMG Sport Consulting & Management GmbH. Palermo was fined by FIGC as it violated the third-party ownership rule in April 2012. FIGC found that Acquah had signed a contract with the agent in June 2009 as he was unable to join any club aboard until he turned 18. After choosing the number 94 shirt, Acquah made his Palermo debut, coming on as a substitute for Giulio Migliaccio in the 32nd minute, in a 4–2 loss against Fiorentina on 13 February 2011. After making four appearances by the start of April, Acquah signed a five-year contract, keeping him until 2016.

Parma (loan)

On 16 July 2012, Palermo announced to have loaned Acquah to Serie A rivals Parma for €100,000; the agreement also includes an option for Parma to acquire half of the player's transfer rights by the end of…

On 26 February 2012, Acquah was called up to the Ghana squad to face Chile. Acquah made his senior Ghana debut against Chile on 29 February 2012, at the PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA. On 13 October 2012, in Civo Stadium, Lilongwe he scored a goal for Ghana against Malawi. In May 2014, Acquah was named in a provisional 26-man squad in the FIFA World Cup by Ghana manager James Kwesi Appiah. On 2 June 2014, Acquah was selected in Ghana's squad for the 2014 tournament. Acquah made his World Cup debut, coming on as a substitute for Mohammed Rabiu in the 76th minute, in a 2–1 loss against Portugal. He went to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 Equatorial Guinea, where Ghana reached the final and lost to the Ivory Coast 9–8 on penalties after a 0–0 draw. Acquah was the Man of the Match but missed his penalty.

A strong, talented and tenacious player, Acquah usually plays as a defensive midfielder in front of the defense, due to his pace, physicality, stamina and abilities as a ball-winner. Although he is primarily known for his defensive coverage, he is a versatile player, who can play anywhere in midfield; he has also been used in more advanced roles, or as a central midfielder, where he is capable of helping his team both offensively and defensively due to his work-rate, composure, temperament, consistency, and ability to make attacking runs into the opposition's penalty area. Despite his lack of particularly notable technical skills, he has also been used as a deep-lying playmaker on occasion, due to his solid first touch, ability to set the tempo of his team's play and subsequently start attacking plays with long balls after winning back possession. Although naturally right-footed, he is capable of striking or passing the ball well with either foot. His precocious performances as youngster and energetic playing style in midfield have drawn comparisons with compatriot Michael Essien.

He speaks Italian, having learnt from his private tutor since he moved to Italy in 2010 and has a brother. Acquah said he had chosen shirt 94 in dedication to his mother, who was involved in a car accident and survived that year.