Hans Kwofie

Hans Kwofie
Kwofie in 2019
Personal information
Date of birth (1989-06-10)10 June 1989
Place of birth Tarkwa, Ghana
Date of death 21 June 2024(2024-06-21) (aged 35)
Place of death Dadwen, Ghana
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder, winger
Youth career
2000–2003 Zongo JS
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Nsoatre Manchester United 11 (1)
2005–2006 King Solomon 20 (2)
2006–2007 Tuba Metro Stars 27 (5)
2007–2009 Heart of Lions 37 (6)
2009–2015 Medeama 51 (8)
2015–2016 Al-Oruba 22 (11)
2016 Bechem Utd 11 (1)
2016–2017 Ashanti Gold 26 (17)
2018 Smouha SC 3 (0)
2018 Singida United 33 (28)
2019 Puchong Fuerza 13 (12)
2020–2021 Ashanti Gold 9 (5)
2021–2022 Legon Cities FC 36 (13)
2022–2023 Medeama SC 8 (0)
2023 Aduana Stars F.C. 5 (0)
2023–2024 Birgunj United FC 2 (1)
International career
2009–2010 Ghana U-20 3 (1)
2015 Ghana 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Hans Kwofie (10 June 1989 – 21 June 2024) was a Ghanaian professional footballer who played as a forward for Birgunj United FC in the Nepal Super League.[1] He was the top goal scorer in the 2017 Ghanaian Premier League.

Club career

Early career

Hans Kwofie - Medeama SC

Born and raised in Tarkwa, Ghana, Hans began his professional footballing career in 2003 with Nsoatre-based, Ghana Division Two League club, Nsoatre Manchester United F.C. In 2005, he moved to Nkawkaw where he signed a one-year contract with Ghana Division One League club, King Solomon F.C. In 2006, he moved to Kasoa where he signed a one-year contract with another Ghana Division One League club, Tuba Metro Stars F.C.

Heart of Lions

In 2007, he moved to Kpandu where he signed a two-year contract with Ghana Premier League and one of Ghana's most renown clubs, Heart of Lions F.C.

Medeama SC

In 2009, he moved back to his hometown, Tarkwa where he signed a long-term contract with another Ghana Premier League club, Medeama SC.[2] He helped his side secure the 4th position in the 2010–11 Ghanaian Premier League and also finished as the club top scorer in the 2010–11 season. During the 2015 Ghanaian Premier League, news speculated that hard-tackling midfielder was alleged to have been linked with a possible move to one of the two most glamorous clubs in the country, Asante Kotoko SC and Accra Hearts of Oak SC following reports indicating a bid had been made to Medeama seeking for the player's services. But the Tarkwa-born midfielder denied all the rumors hinting that he had not been approached by either side.[3] Also during the 2015–16 season, Hans threatened to summon the Ghana Premier League club before the Ghana Football Association if the club failed to pay his signing fee.[4][5]

Al-Oruba SC

After failing to extend his contract with Ghana Premier League club, Medeama SC for the fifth consecutive season[6] he decided to make his first move out of Ghana in 2015 to the Middle East and more accurately to Oman where on 9 September 2015, he signed a one-year contract with Sur-based, Oman Professional League club, Al-Oruba SC.[7][8][9][10] He made his Oman Professional League debut on 13 September 2015 in a 3–1 win over newly promoted side, Salalah SC[11] and scored his first goal on 18 October 2015 in a 3–1 win over another Salalah-based club, Al-Nasr S.C.S.C.[12][13]

Bechem United

In May 2016, Kwofie returned to Ghana and signed a short-term contract with Bechem United.[14]

Ashanti Gold

In 2017, ahead of the 2017 Ghanaian Premier League, Kwofie signed for Obuasi-based side Ashanti Gold.[15] At the end of the season he emerged as the top goalscorer of the league with 17 goals ahead of Heart of Oak midfielder and skipper, Thomas Abbey and Berekum Chelsea striker, Stephen Sarfo who scored 13 and 15 goals respectively.[16] Within the season he scored 4 goals in a match against Berekum Chelsea and Aduana Stars and a hat trick against Great Olympics to help him win top scorer of the premiership that campaign.[17]

Smouha SC

In January 2018, after emerging top goal scorer of the Ghana Premier League, Kwofie along with 2013–14 Ghana Premier league top scorer Augustine Okrah signed for Smouha SC on a 3-year contract.[18][19] After a few months of joining the club he mutually terminated his contract and parted ways with the club following a string of unimpressive performances.[20]

Singida United

After parting ways with the Egyptian-side Smouha SC, he joined Tanzanian top flight side Singida United.[21][22] In August 2018, whilst playing for the club, the club reported on their official Twitter page that Kwofie had been kidnapped after his name was on their 2018–19 season squad.[23][24] He later came out to debunk the kidnapping allegations.[25][26] The club subsequently came out also to retract and take down their report whilst stating that he had joined the club for training.[27][28]

Puchong Fuerza

In 2019, Kwofie moved to the Malaysia and joined Malaysia M3 League side Puchong Fuerza. He played there for one season and scored 12 league goals, scoring a hat trick in one match. Overall, he scored 13 goals in all competitions. He left the club in the after the season ended in late 2019.[29][30]

Return to Ashanti Gold

In February 2020, it was reported that Kwofie would be joining his former club Ashanti Gold.[30][29] In July 2020, he confirmed in an interview with Wontumi TV that he had joined Ashanti Gold on a 1.5 year contract as the Miners sought to boost their squad ahead of their CAF Confederations Cup campaign.[31][32] After scoring 5 goals in 8 matches in the first round of the season, he moved to Legon Cities in 2021 bringing an end to his 1.5 year contract deal.[33]

Legon Cities

On 17 February 2021, it was announced that Kwofie had signed for Accra-based club Legon Cities after his contract with Ashanti Gold had ended, joining his previous coach Bashir Hayford, who coached him whilst at Ashanti Gold in 2017 and under whose guidance he netted 17 goals to win the top goal scorer during the 2017 Ghana Premier League.[33] He scored on his league debut and was named man of the match in a 1–1 draw against his old club Bechem United on 21 February 2021.[34]

International career

Hans Kwofie - Ghana

Hans was selected for the national team for the first time in 2015 as he was named first in the provisional squad and later in the 20-man squad for the 2015 COSAFA Cup which was to be held in North West Province of South Africa.[35][36][37][38] He made his debut for the Ghana national football team on 25 May 2015 in a 2–1 loss against Madagascar in the Quarter-Finals stage of the 2015 COSAFA Cup.[39] He made another appearance in the tournament in a 3–0 loss against Zambia.[40]

Style of play

Hans was a very strong and agile player. He had the technical abilities to launch counterattacks both from the right wing and also the midfield. He was known for his skills in the midfield and his confidence on his game that helped him exhibit skills. He had a great vision and was great in playing a passing game.

Death

Kwofie died on 21 June 2024 in a car accident in Dadwen.[41]

Club career statistics

Club Season Division League Cup Continental Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Al-Oruba 2015-16 Oman Professional League 6 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 4
Total 6 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 4
Career total 6 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 4

References

  1. ^ Hans Kwofie at National-Football-Teams.com
  2. ^ "Hans Kwofie: I'm enjoying football at Medeama". GOAL.
  3. ^ "Medeama Midfielder Hans Kwofie rule out Hearts Kotoko move". ghanasportsonline.com.
  4. ^ "Hans Kwofie threatens to summon Medeama SC before GFA". SportsFilla.com.
  5. ^ "SC Medeama Condemn Hans Kwofie's Public Rant". GHANA FOOTBALL NEWS.
  6. ^ "Hans Kwofie fails to extend Medeama contract, currently a free agent player". sportsworldghana.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015.
  7. ^ "Exclusive: Free agent Hans Kwofie joins Al-Oruba SC in Oman". sportsworldghana.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015.
  8. ^ "Former Medeama captain Hans Kwofie signs for Omani champions Al Oruba". modernghana.com.
  9. ^ "العروبة يتعاقد مع الغاني كوفي هانس". azamn.com. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  10. ^ "العروبة يتعاقد مع المهاجم الغاني كوفي هانس". Lo3btna.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  11. ^ "SALALAH VS. AL ORUBA 1 - 3". SOCCERWAY.
  12. ^ "AL NASR VS. AL ORUBA 1 - 3". SOCCERWAY.
  13. ^ "Ghanaian striker Hans Kwofie has become instant hit at Omani champions Al Oruba with four goals in six league outings". GHANA SOCCERNET.
  14. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Bechem United snap up former Ghana youth winger Hans Kwofie". GhanaSoccernet. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  15. ^ Adams, Nuhu (27 October 2017). "Top 10 signings in the 2016/2017 Ghana Premier League season". GhanaSoccernet. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  16. ^ "Abbey takes a swipe at Kwofie over Ghana PL award | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  17. ^ Adams, Nuhu (23 October 2017). "Ghana Premier League goal king Hans Kwofie dedicates four-goal feat to late dad". GhanaSoccernet. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  18. ^ "Ghanaian duo Hans Kwofie and Augustine Okrah sign for Egyptian Club Smouha". Ghana Sports Online. 3 January 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Ghanaian Duo Augustine Okrah And Hans Kwofie Joins Egyptian Side Smouha". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  20. ^ "Ashanti Gold SC re-sign Hans Kwofie". Footballghana. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  21. ^ Adams, Nuhu (27 July 2018). "EXCLUSIVE: Ex-AshantiGold kingpin Hans Kwofie set to complete Singida United switch". GhanaSoccernet. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  22. ^ "Ghanaian player Hans Kwofie set to join Tanzanian Singida United". Footballghana. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  23. ^ "Ghanaian striker Hans Kwofie kidnapped in Tanzania". www.ghanaweb.com. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  24. ^ "Hans Kwofie kidnapped in Tanzania". Football Made In Ghana. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2021.[dead link‍]
  25. ^ "Ghanaian striker Kwoffie rejects reports of his kidnapping in Tanzania | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  26. ^ "Ghanaian striker Hans Kwofie rubbishes shocking claims he's been kidnapped in Tanzania". GhanaSoccernet. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  27. ^ "Singida United retract Hans Kwofie kidnap report". www.ghanaweb.com. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  28. ^ "Ghana's Hans Kwofie ward off kidnapping reports by returning to group training at Tanzanian Club Singida United FC". Ghana Sports Online. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  29. ^ a b "Hans Kwofie rejoins AshantiGold SC on a short-term deal". GhanaSoccernet. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Former AshGold hitman Hans Kwofie fancies a return to Len Clay". www.ghanaweb.com. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  31. ^ "Striker Hans Kwofie Confirms Return To Ashgold SC". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  32. ^ "Hans Kwofie re-joins AshantiGold SC". Footballghana. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  33. ^ a b "#Donkomi: Hans Kwofie joins Legon Cities from Ashantigold". Citi Sports Online. 17 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  34. ^ "Legon Cities striker Hans Kwofie named MOTM after goal against Bechem United". GhanaSoccernet. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  35. ^ "Ghana name provisional squad for COSAFA". futaa.com.
  36. ^ "26 players to report to Local Black Stars camp ahead of COSAFA Cup tournament". footballmadeinghana.com. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  37. ^ "Maxwell Konadu Names Final 20-Man Squad For COSAFA Cup". sports.peacefmonline.com.
  38. ^ "Stars arrive in South Africa for COSAFA Cup". GhanaWeb. 22 May 2015.
  39. ^ "Local Black Stars edged out of Cosafa Cup by Madagascar". Kasapa fmonline.
  40. ^ "Ghana makes three changes for Zambia clash". footballmadeinghana.com. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  41. ^ Ayamga, Emmanuel (21 June 2024). "Hans Kwofie: Ghanaian striker dies in fatal car crash". Pulse. Retrieved 26 June 2024.