Ghanaguardian.com writers Musah Abelyire and Daraja Mutari put together a list of Ghanaian footballers whose ages have been a subject of unending public debates in our barber shops, football match centers, campuses and workplaces.

We bring you an attempt to non-scientifically predict the "real" ages of these great Ghanaian footballers.

NUMBER 5: DOMINIC ADIYIAH

Debuting at number 5 is the "baby face assassin" Adiyiah whose official date of birth is 29th November,1989 (27years).

But lets not kid ourselves, only a handful of Ghanaians if at all any are older than this man.

There is no doubting his goal scoring prowess on the field but his real age is in huge doubt as far as Ghanaians are concerned.

The Verdict

MUSAH PREDICTS:34 years young

DARAJA PREDICTS:33 years young

NUMBER 4: STEPHEN APPIAH


At number 4 is the former captain  of the Black Stars Stephen Appiah who also curiously was the roommate of the 47 year old Chelsea boss Antonio Conte during his playing days at Juventus.

This is Appiah with the great Italian legend Roberto Baggio and current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola who is now 46 years old.

From this pictorial evidence, Stephen Appiah physical features clearly suggest he could be at least 3 or 4 years older than Guardiola at that stage.

So how old is Stephen Appiah really?

NB: He played alongside the late Shamo Quaye of Accra Hearts of Oak

Officially his date of birth is 24th December, 1980 which suggests he is just 36 years young.

Do we believe him?

Hell no!

The Verdict

MUSAH PREDICTS: 47 years old

DARAJA PREDICTS:48 years old

NUMBER 3: JOHN MENSAH

The Rock of Gibraltar or should we say The Rock of Ages?

Former Captain of the Black Stars John Mensah who led the senior national team even before Stephen Appiah comes at number 3.

His trademark haircut popularly known as "ponkijoe" in the days of our fathers suggests the era of his true birth. Some say his strength at the heart of defence in his hey days was typical of the power of the people at his time of birth.

Everyone calls him "Uncle" or "seniorman" but he still insists he is just 34 years old

His official date of birth is November 29, 1982 (age 34 years). But is this believable?

The Verdict

MUSAH PREDICTS: 45 years old

DARAJA PREDICTS: 44 years old

NUMBER 2: EMMANUEL AGYEMANG BADU

In this picture is 19 year old Badu in 2009

during the FIFA U20 World Cup Group D match between Ghana and Uzbekistan at the Ismailia Stadium on September 26, 2009 in Ismailia, Egypt.

Go to his birth place Berekum in the Ashant region and the natives there will tell you that he was the brightest teenage prospects in the late 80s.

So how is this evergreen midfielder still only 26 years old today?

So what is the Udinese midfielder's secret? Or is it an anti-ageing cream we do not know about?

The Verdict

MUSAH PREDICTS: 35 years old

DARAJA PREDICTS: 36 years old

NUMBER 1: RICHARD 'OLELE' KINSTON

There have been several workshops held on our various social media pages trying to solve the puzzle that is this legendary goalkeeper's real age.

Some Ghanaians will swear he is the direct cousin of Adam, the first man to ever live.

Others have attributed his agility to the fact that he was present on Day 6 of the creation story when God created all the animals that have great reflexes like the leopard, cheetah, etc.

Olele was already a veteran when the great Sammy Adjei was only picking up in his career.

This man has played with most of the retired great Ghanaian pr0fessionals but he is some how only 38 years young

The Verdict

MUSAH PREDICTS: 50 years old

DARAJA PREDICTS: 52 years old

This piece for all intents and purposes is widely speculative and satirical

By Musah Abelyire/Daraja Mutari:ghanaguardian.com