Benjamin Afutu

Benjamin Afutu Kotey (born 2 May 1996) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Saudi Arabian side Al-Taqadom.

Benjamin Afutu
Personal information
Full name Benjamin Afutu Kotey
Date of birth (1996-05-02) 2 May 1996
Place of birth Ghana
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Al-Taqadom
Number 8
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017 Karela United 25 (5)
2018–2021 Hearts of Oak 57 (7)
2021–2022 Eastern Company 8 (0)
2022– Al-Taqadom
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 August 2022

Afutu began his professional career with Karela United in 2017. He helped the club gain promotion to the Ghana Premier League after winning the Division One League Zone II. In 2018, he signed Accra Hearts of Oak. At Hearts, he won the Ghana Premier League and Ghana FA Cup in 2021. During his stint with Hearts of Oak, he established himself as the best defensive midfielder in the league. He joined Eastern Company in October 2021 before moving to Saudi Arabian side Al-Taqadom in 2022.

Career

Karela United

Afutu played for Karela United when they played in the Ghana Division One League.[1] During the 2017 season, he played 25 league matches, made 7 assists and scored 5 goals to help them win the Division One League Zone II and secure promotion into the Ghana Premier League, for the first time in the club's history.[1]

Hearts of Oak

Afutu joined Ghana Premier League side Accra Hearts of Oak in December 2017, after impressing the technical team during pre-season trials. He signed a three-year deal ahead of the 2018 season. On 29 April 2018, he made his debut as an 80th-minute substitute for Joseph Esso in a 1–0 league match against rivals Asante Kotoko.[2] He only featured in 4 league matches in that season before the league was cancelled due to the Number 12 expose.[3]

During the 2019 GFA Normalization Special Competition, he played 11 of the 14 league matches to help Hearts win their Group and progress to the semi-finals.[3] However they lost to Asante Kotoko via a penalty shootout. He continued to play a key role in the team by playing 13 of the 15 league matches and scored 2 goals in the 2019–20 season as the league was again cancelled, this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana.[3]

There were reports in 2020 that he was refusing to extend his contract with the club in the hopes of obtaining a better contract renewal or signing with a new club.[4][5] After negotiations with the club, he later signed a one-year contract extension until June 2021.[6] Afutu was ever present in the club's historic domestic double triumph in 2020–21 season.[7]

On 19 December 2020, he scored the first goal in a 2–1 victory over King Faisal. The following week, he scored another goal in a 6–1 rout over Bechem United. He played 29 league matches, scored 5 goals from a defensive midfield position whilst winning man of the match awards against Elmina Sharks[8] and Berekum Chelsea,[9] also scoring in both matches, to help Hearts win their 21st league title after a 12-year trophy drought.[10] He scored two goals on Heart's road to the 2021 Ghanaian FA Cup final. On 8 August, Afutu won the Ghana FA Cup following an 8–7 penalty shoot-out victory over Ashanti Gold at Accra Sports Stadium in the final, after a goalless draw in extra-time; Afutu played the full 90 minutes and in the shoot-out, he took Hearts' tenth penalty, which was saved by Kofi Mensah.[11]

Eastern Company

In October 2021, Afutu joined newly promoted Egyptian club Eastern Company on a three-year contract.[12][13] On 5 November, he made his debut in a 3–0 loss to Smouha, playing the full 90 minutes of the match.[14] He went on to play in the next six matches before being shown a red card in a league match against Al Ittihad Alexandria on 14 February 2022.[3] He returned and only played one match against Zamalek in May 2022. The following month, his contract was terminated and was released by the Eastern Company Club board.[15]

In August 2022, Afutu joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Taqadom. He signed a one-year contract with the club.[16][17]

Honours

Karela United

Hearts of Oak

References
  1. "Frank Nuttall orders Hearts of Oak to sign former Karela United midfielder Benjamin Kotey". GhanaSoccernet. 29 December 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  2. "Match Report of Asante Kotoko SC vs Accra Hearts of Oak SC - 2018-04-29 - Zylofon Cash Premier League". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  3. "Benjamin Afutu Kotey - Soccer player profile & career statistics". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  4. "Ghana Premier League: Benjamin Afutu not interested in renewing Hearts of Oak contract". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  5. "Kotey in hide and seek with Hearts". Graphic Online. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  6. "Midfielder Benjamin Afutu signs new 3-year contract with Hearts of Oak". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  7. "MTN FA Cup final: Hearts of Oak beat AshantiGold on penalties to win the double - MyJoyOnline.com". My Joy Online. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  8. "2020/21 Ghana Premier League: Benjamin Afutu wins MVP in Hearts of Oak's win over Elmina Sharks". GhanaSoccernet. 16 May 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  9. "2020/21 Ghana Premier League: Hearts of Oak's Benjamin Afutu wins MOTM in Berekum Chelsea success". GhanaSoccernet. 31 May 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  10. Appiah, Samuel Ekow Amoasi (17 July 2021). "Hearts of Oak crowned 2020/21 Ghana Premier League champions [Photos]". Modern Ghana. Archived from the original on 17 July 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  11. "Hearts of Oak beats Ashgold on penalties to win MTN FA Cup". GhanaWeb. 8 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  12. Sarbah, Peter (11 October 2021). "Afutu signs 3-year deal for Egyptian club". Graphic Online. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  13. "Egyptian side Eastern Company signs ex-Hearts of Oak midfielder Benjamin Afutu". GhanaWeb. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  14. "Match Report of Smouha SC vs Eastern Company SC - 2021-11-05 - The WE Egyptian Premier League". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  15. Ali, Ahmad Gamal (9 June 2022). "Eastern Company terminate Benjamin Afutu contract". KingFut. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  16. "Former Hearts of Oak midfielder Benjamin Afutu signs for Saudi Arabian club Al-Taqadom". Ghanasoccernet. 16 August 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  17. Bannerman-Quartey, Raphael (17 August 2022). "Benjamin Afutu-Kotey signs for Saudi Arabian based club Al-Taqadom FC". Sahara Football. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
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