The story of Kumasi Asante Kotoko midfield anchor Kwame Bonsu could pass for a hollywood movie. In fact, his unorthodox and winding journey from Krofrom, a notorious neighborhood in Kumasi-Ghana to Sweden and back to Ghana before getting to the top could even inspire a baby whose umbilical cord is yet to be cut from his mother.
As someone who loves Swedish football and into player agency, I have many friends plying their trade in the Scandinavian country, I once had a deal at German Bundesliga side Hamburg FC for a holding midfielder, I had a chat with Mohammed Abubakari who was at BK Hacken then, he introduced me to Bonsu and I got his videos. I just watched five minutes of his highlights and was convinced the boy was a natural talent. I talked to my partner in Germany and he also was very keen to bring him to Germany in the next window.
Sadly enough, I woke up on Friday June 7th, 2017 to hear that a Swedish court in Gavle have sentenced Bonsu who was then at Gefle IF to two years in prison for allegedly beating and raping his Swedish wife. Bonsu, through the help of former Ghana international Yussif Chibsah got a lawyer and appealed against the decision as there was a video evidence that the wife deliberately set him up. After back and forth from court, Bonsu was released from jail on July 30, 2018.
The talented midfielder headed straight to Ghana and signed a three-year deal with Kumasi Asante Kotoko through the help of the club legend Yussif Chibsah who currently manages him. As some one born and bred in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kotoko has always been Bonsu’s first love even before he moved to Heart of Lions in the early stages of his career and since breaking into the Kotoko starting eleven, he has been exceptional.
“I personally believe it’s a blessing in disguise but it doesn’t just happen,It calls for hard work,determination and discipline. He didn’t have it easy,he struggled to earn a first team place but through the encouragement we gave and his hard work,he’s doing great now”, Chibsah told Kumasi FM on Bonsu’s rise back to the top.
“I’ve known him for a couple of years and I know his qualities and abilities reason why I’ve been behind him all this while but I’ve cautioned him against complacency. “He is a player who started his football in Kumasi and those who know him can testify he has more in him. He has a lot more to offer for Ghana football,we need to guide and encourage him”, he added.
The player feels at home and he is gradually becoming the engine of Kotoko and the talisman of the side in their African campaign.
“I have had a perfect ‘akwaaba’ to my career with one of the greatest club’s on the continent and the greatest in Ghana. Kotoko is home and this is where I belong. Bonsu revealed to OTEC FM
“I am happy with my steady progress. The fans have been exceptional and they have given me the necessary support needed to excel. The only way we have to pay them back is to deliver the trophy for them and that is our prime motive.”
Bonsu’s exploit has not gone unnoticed by the technical handlers of the Ghana Black Stars, coach Kwesi Appiah has watched the player thrice for Kotoko in the Africa campaign and he is convinced he can play a role in his possible squad for the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
Appiah has thus invited Bonsu for the AFCON qualifier against Kenya at the Accra Sports Stadium on March 23, 2019 and with Afriyie Acquah not in the squad, Bonsu is likely to start in the defensive midfield role as he seeks to stake a claim in the team.
Considering how you see it, there is an adage that goes like “Some Wrong paths eventually leads to beautiful destinations” and this is a clear example of Bonsu’s journey.
Just like the biblical Joseph, Bonsu has moved from prison to be in a high position.
By: Edmund Okai Gyimah