Ali Jarrah
Ali Jarrah is a Ghanaian professional footballer who was a member of the Ghana team that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1991 and came in second in 1993.[1][2]
Football career
[edit]Jarrah played at both international and club levels in the position of goalkeeper and was part of the Ghana team that won the 1991 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[1][2] During his club career, Jarrah played in the Ghana Premier League for Accra Hearts of Oak S.C., the oldest surviving Ghanaian professional football club, where he received many accolades.[1][3][4] In 1993, he received offers to join both Liverpool F.C. and FC Köln and was called up by the Ghana national football team.[5][6] However, before leaving for Germany, he suffered an injury in a Ghana Premier League match against Asante Kotoko S.C. that permanently ended his career.[1][5] Due to complications resulting from his injury, Jarrah was paralyzed in September 1993.[1][5][3]
Later life
[edit]Following the end of his playing career, Jarrah began working as a football coach and trainer.[1] He has both coached and advocated for individuals with disabilities in sports.[1] Currently, Jarrah runs a goalkeeper training academy in Accra that has received recognition from the Ghana Football Association.[3] He regularly engages in football commentary, including for the Ghanaian Times, Goal (Website), ModernGhana and GhanaWeb.[2][6][7][8][9][10]
Personal life
[edit]Jarrah describes the day that he learned of the severity of his injury as "the worst day in his life."[5] He has been open about the personal and mental health struggles that he experienced following his career-ending injury.[1] He has also described feeling neglected after the end of his professional career.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Neglect: Ex-Ghana goalkeeper Ali Jarrah hints of ending his life". ModernGhana. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ a b c Teye, Prince (14 July 2020). "Akonnor backed to shatter Ghana's Afcon trophy jinx". Goal (website). Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ a b c "ALI JARRAH RECEIVES EQUIPMENT SUPPORT FROM GFA FOR GOALKEEPERS' ACADEMY". Ghana Football Association. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Hearts of Oak signed me for GHC15 - Ali Jarah". GhanaWeb. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d "The mysterious injury in a Hearts vs Kotoko match that cost Ali Jarrah a life-changing move to Bundesliga". GhanaWeb. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Legendary Ali Jarrah Names His Top Three Goalkeepers". ModernGhana. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Ali Jarrah confident in Wollacott, Ofori pair for Stars". Ghanaian Times]. 26 May 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Richard Ofori should be Ghana's number 1 goalkeeper - Ali Jarrah ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers". GhanaWeb]. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Black Stars lacked communication, experience in Qatar World Cup – Ali Jarah". GhanaWeb]. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Ghana legend Ali Jarrah calls for patience for Black Stars coach Chris Hughton". ModernGhana]. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2024.