As the Black Satellites of Ghana gears up for the African Games, eyes are on some promising talents set to represent the nation on the football field.

These young players have been making waves domestically and internationally, and their performances could be crucial for Ghana's success in the tournament.

Here are the five players to watch in the Black Satellites team:

• Aziz Issah - Dreams FC
  
  Aziz Issah, an 18-year-old forward, has been a standout performer for Dreams FC in both the Ghana Premier League and the CAF Confederations Cup. In Dreams FC's CAF Confederation campaign, he contributed four goals and two assists in the group stages.
  
  For context, that is the most goal contribution by any Ghanaian player in the group stage of a CAF inter-club competition, since Emmanuel Clottey’s six goals in Berekum Chelsea’s CAF Champions League campaign in 2012.
  
  In the context of Ghanaian high performers, only Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak have had much better numbers in regard to goals contributed by a single player.
  
  With ten goals in his last twelve games across all competitions, Aziz's name is on the lips of Ghanaian fans as they anticipate his impact in the African Games Men’s football competition.

• Daniel Afful – Accra Lions

Daniel Afful, a 17-year-old goalkeeper, has made a stellar start to his professional career since joining Accra Lions from the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana. Despite his young age, Afful has already showcased his talent by keeping two clean sheets in seventeen matches for the Accra Lions.

His confidence received a boost after being named Man-of-the-Match in the Black Satellites' recent WAFU Zone-B tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.

Beyond his not-so-encouraging numbers, Daniel Afful has suffered from defensive casualties, which has led to him conceding avoidable goals.

Afful is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his age, Afful is a player to watch for his exceptional skills between the posts.

• Abdul Hakim – Unattached

Following in the footsteps of his older brother Kamaldeen Sulemana, Hakim Sulemana is a promising talent who has caught the attention of football enthusiasts. The teenager demonstrated his leadership abilities by captaining Right to Dream to victory in the Gotia Cup in 2022.

Operating adeptly from the wings, Hakim's playing style bears a resemblance to his brother's, with a sharp left foot and trickery with moving down the flanks. His addition adds to the excitement surrounding his performance at the African Games.

• Aaron Essel – Beckem United

Aaron Essel, an 18-year-old defensive midfielder, brings a wealth of experience to the African Games Men’s football competition. Having represented the national U23 team and participated in the U20 African Cup, Essel is no stranger to international competitions.

His proficiency in ball retention, vision, and commanding presence in defence make him a valuable asset for the Black Satellites. Fans eagerly anticipate witnessing Essel's quality on the field as he bolsters the team's backline.

• Kelvin Nkrumah – Medeama II

Kelvin Nkrumah, a 16-year-old left-winger, stands out as one of the most promising talents in the lower ranks of Medeama Sporting Club. With experience playing alongside the first team and involvement in national youth setups, Nkrumah has demonstrated his potential to make an impact on the big stage.

As he prepares to showcase his skills in the African Games, Nkrumah is poised to dazzle spectators with his flair and creativity on the pitch, often likened to Neymar and Ousmane Dembele due to his pace.

The Black Satellites team's top five players to watch for the African Games #Accra2023

At the Accra Sports Stadium later today, Team Ghana takes on Congo.

These are my picks. pic.twitter.com/FDD0PfWFFx

— Joseph Ayinga-Walter (@AyingaWalter) March 8, 2024