You would struggle to find an (allegedly) young footballer who has achieved more than Samuel Inkoom within a year's time. In the end of March 2009, Inkoom made his debut for the Ghanaian national team in a World Cup qualification 1-0 win against Benin. He secured a move to Swiss top side FC Basel for the 09/10 season, where he immediately became a permanent fixture in the first team. With Basel, the right back went on to play 9 games in the Europa League, and domestically he contributed over 29 games, including the Swiss Cup final win over Lausanne. He was also a starter in Basel's all-deciding last game of the season, against long time league leaders BSC Young Boys, ahead of which they were level with said club, and ended up victorious with 2-0 at Young Boys' aptly named Wankdorf Stadium. Medals galore for the Baselians, while the Young Boys didn't even get to score.
Inkoom continued to impress for Ghana, who secured World Cup qualification as the first African nation. In Semptember 2009, he was called up for the (allegedly) Under 20 World Cup in Egypt. Not many had expected Ghana to go far in the tournament, and not many had expected them to defeat Brazil in the final, but on the 16th of October they stood as the first ever African victors of a U20 World Cup, having defeated their more famed South American adversary in a penalty shoot-out, with Inkoom taking and scoring Ghana's 2nd penalty. In January 2010 it was time for the African Cup of Nations. Inkoom was first choice right back and continued to impress as Ghana reached the final, where they finally fell to perennial ACN overachievers (or is it CAF WCQ underachievers?) Egypt.
Already considered one of the very best full backs in Switzerland, the (alleged) 20 year old is sure to get plenty of attention from scouts in South Africa. A modern full back, Inkoom is excellent going forward. He tirelessly overlaps, is comfortable on the ball and puts in dangerous crosses from the right. For a full back, his physique is more than adequate, but positionally he has looked suspect at times for Basel. The (allegedly) young Ghanaian has plenty of time to improve in that area, but if he has set his sights on big move this summer, or simply wants success with Ghana at the World Cup, it will be a big test to prove himself against the more qualified opposition in South Africa. At any rate, he will make the trek, or perhaps more accurately first class flight, there with three winner's medals and a best loser medal in his backpack. Stuffed in a locker over his head. No more than 10kg and 55cm x 40cm x 20cm if they're flying with Ryanair.
G. Lindström
Extra reading: Inkoom travels back in time from the future
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