Ben Mensah
Personal information
Full name Benjamin Mensah
Date of birth (1983-08-07) 7 August 1983
Place of birth Ghana
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Accra Great Olympics
2012–2013 King Faisal Babes 7 (0)
2015–2016 New Edubiase United 20 (0)
2017–2022 Hearts of Oak 39 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 3 March 2021

Benjamin Mensah (born 7 August 1983)[1] is a Ghanaian former professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Ghanaian Premier League side Accra Hearts of Oak.[2][3] He is considered one of the experienced goalkeepers in the Ghana Premier League after previously having stints with Accra Great Olympics, King Faisal Babes and New Edubiase United.[4][5]

Career

Early career

Mensah previously played for Accra Great Olympics, King Faisal Babes before moving to New Edubiase United.[4][6][1]

New Edubiase

Mensah played for New Edubiase United during the 2016 Ghanaian Premier League.[3] He played in 20 league matches and was one of the standout performers for the club but couldn't help them from being relegated into the Ghana Division One League.[4][3]

Hearts of Oak

In November 2016, Mensah signed a two-year contract with Ghana Premier League giants Accra Hearts of Oak. The contract was set to expire in 2018. He debut on 13 February 2017, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–0 draw against International Allies.[7] He cemented his place as the main goalkeeper for the club in the 2017 Ghanaian Premier League and made 19 league matches within the season, helping Hearts to a 3rd place league finish. In the 2018 Ghanaian Premier League season, he made 10 league matches before the league was cancelled due to the dissolution of the GFA in June 2018, as a result of the Anas Number 12 Expose.[3] With the arrival of Richmond Ayi from West African Football Academy (WAFA), he became the second goalkeeper for the club and later with Richard Attah coming in from Elimina Sharks, he became the third goalkeeper, because of that he was limited to a few league appearances.[8][9] In 2019, there were reports that he was leaving the club due to his limited playing time but he later signed a one-year contract extension in December 2019.[5] In June 2020, he revealed that he was glad to serve as senior figure and an inspiration in the Hearts team and get the chance to mentor the younger goalkeepers including Ayi, Attah and Richard Baidoo.[10] He was named on the club's squad list for the 2020–21 Ghana Premier League season.[11][12]

That season, he continued his role as the back-up goalkeeper, after the appointment of Samuel Boadu as head coach by playing six league to help Hearts win the league after a 12-year trophy drought and win his first trophy of his long lasting career.[13][3] He also played one FA Cup match, which contributed to Hearts journey to the final of the FA Cup.

On 8 August, he won the domestic double by winning the Ghanaian FA Cup in addition to their league trophy win a month earlier.[14] Hearts won the 2021 Ghanaian FA Cup following a 8–7 penalty shoot-out victory over Ashanti Gold at Accra Sports Stadium in the final, after a goalless draw in extra-time, he was named on the bench and did not feature.[15][14][16]

Honours

Hearts of Oak

References

  1. 1 2 "Ghana - B. Mensah - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  2. ↑ "The ultimate 18-team Ghana Premier League season guide 2020/21 - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ben Mensah - Soccer player profile & career statistics - Global Sports Archive". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "Ghana Premier League: Hearts of Oak sign Ben Mensah from New Edubiase". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Ben Mensah: Hearts of Oak goalkeeper pens new contract". GhanaWeb. 28 December 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  6. ↑ "New Edubiase goalie Benjamin Mensah pleads for supporters patience". GhanaSoccernet. 27 February 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  7. ↑ "Match Report of Inter Allies FC vs Hearts of Oak SC - 2017-02-13 - Ghana Premier League - Global Sports Archive". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  8. ↑ "Ben Mensah: Hearts of Oak goalkeeper pens new contract". GhanaSoccernet. 28 December 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  9. ↑ Osman, Abdul Wadudu (29 December 2019). "Ben Mensah signs contract extension with Hearts of Oak". Football Made In Ghana. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  10. ↑ "Hearts of Oak Goalkeeper Benjamin Mensah mentor young keepers". Footballghana. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  11. ↑ "Full list: Hearts of Oak squad for 2020/21 season". Ghana Sports Online. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  12. ↑ "The ultimate 18-team Ghana Premier League season guide 2020/21 - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  13. 1 2 Appiah, Samuel Ekow Amoasi (17 July 2021). "Hearts of Oak crowned 2020/21 Ghana Premier League champions [Photos]". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  14. 1 2 3 Teye, Prince Narkortu (9 August 2021). "Hearts of Oak beat Ashanti Gold in Ghana FA Cup final to seal season double | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Goal. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  15. ↑ "MTN FA Cup final: Hearts of Oak coach Samuel Boadu names starting eleven for Ashanti Gold showdown". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  16. ↑ Neequaye, Bernard (8 August 2021). "Richard Attah's heroics win MTN FA Cup for Hearts of Oak". Graphic Online. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
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