Anthony Annan

Playing in Ghana

Born in Accra, Anthony Annan began playing football with a local Colts Super Rainbow Stars in Cape Coast, Ghana. He also played for Cape Coast Venomous Vipers in the Ghanaian Division one league before joined Sekondi Hasaacas in 2003 and later moving to Accra Hearts of Oak in 2005. At Accra Hearts of Oak, Annan was regarded as the best young midfielder in Ghana. He combined midfield artistry with some goal scoring skills, and endeared himself to many football fans in Ghana. Annan joined Accra Hearts of Oak from Sekondi Hasaacas FC in the 2005–06 league season.

Start

Annan signed for the Norwegian club Start on 26 January 2007, after a promising career in Ghana with his local club Accra Hearts of Oak. It came after he made his last training at Hearts of Oak. Annan made his Start debut, in the opening game of the season, where he made his first start and played 74 minutes before being substituted, in a 4–2 loss against Aalesunds. He quickly established himself as a first team regular during I.K. Start's preseason games, and showed skills both on and off the ball. Unfortunately he was plagued by injury and illness during the first part of the 2007 season, and did not gain trust from then head coach Benny Lennartson in the important final games to avoid relegation. After Start got relegated during the 2007 season, he joined Stabæk on loan until August 2008 despite signing a contract with them. Annan made his Stabæk debut, in the opening game of…

A Junior and Olympic International for Ghana, Annan received his first senior call up for the national team on 20 March 2007 as a direct injury replacement for Essien for Ghana's FIFA International friendlies against Austria and Brazil in 2007. His first cap came against Brazil on 27 March 2007 at the Råsunda Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden when Ghana lost 0–1. After helping the national side finish third place in the African Cup of Nations. He made his first goal for the national team in the 2–2 draw against Mali 15 November 2009. The following year, Annan played for Ghana at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa and played his first World Cup match, where he played the whole game, in a 1–0 win over Serbia in the group stage. Annan played all five matches for the national side in the World Cup until their elimination against Uruguay after losing 4–2 in the penalty shootout. Two years on, Annan was called up by the national team for the Africa Cup of Nations campaign and went on to make seven appearances for the side. Later in the year, Annan scored his second national goal for the side on 8 September 2012, in a 2–0 win over Malawi. Following this, Annan was then called up by the national team for the African Cup of Nations. In 2020 Annan expressed his readiness to play for the Ghana Blackstars despite staying home for sometime.

Club

As of match played on 23 October 2022

International

Scores and results list Ghana's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Annan goal.

Family

Annan claims to be related to Ghanaian diplomat and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, although this has been denied by a spokesperson working for Kofi Annan. Annan's mother, Sophia Sampson, died in Cape Coast on 2 February 2012 after a short illness. This was while he was playing for Ghana in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. In April 2007, Annan married his girlfriend Gifty Annan in Ghana, causing him to miss a game against Stabæk, though he also missed out, due to a virus around the same time. Together, the couple has two children. While settling in Norway, Annan began to take driving lessons and began to adapt in the country by learning English.