All Star Festival Watch: Stars who headlined Tamale 2024 making high-profile club moves
Several players who headlined the All Star Festival, Tamale 2024 event have been busy making high-profile club moves across Ghanaian club football, in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Following another successful event, this time in Tamale, where several big name Ghanaian players based at home and abroad, lined up in a competitive yet ceremonial game dubbed All Star Team versus Northern Stars Team, in the third edition of the annual event, some of these players have gone on to sign with new clubs in transfers that boost their careers.
On the local front, Alhassan Mankuyeli and Baba Kushibo, who impressed during the All Star Game have both completed moves from Real Tamale United (RTU) to Ghana Premier League champions, FC Samartex.
The Timber Giants recruited these players to augment their squad as they embark on their maiden campaign in the CAF Champions League. This seems to have paid off after seeing off Victoria United FC of Cameroon in the first stage of the preliminary round.
Additionally, Isaac Yaro has transitioned from Tamale City to Dreams FC, further advancing his career after a strong showing at the event.
On the international scene, Jordan Ayew has made a significant switch from Crystal Palace to Leicester City, in an 8 million pounds deal for 2 years with an option to extend for a further year.
The Foxes also made permanent, the move by Abdul Fatawu Issahaku following his initial loan spell from Portuguese champions, Sporting CP. Fatawu Issahaku was one of the headliners of the All Star Festival event in Tamale. He is expected to consolidate his performance and importance to Leicester on their return to the premier league following his contributions to their promotional campaign from the championship last season.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Boateng has moved from Portuguese side Rio Ave to Al-Orobah FC in Saudi Arabia, marking a new chapter in his career.
The moves are not only happening for Ghanaian players. Ghanaian born Togolese goalkeeper, Ibrahim Baboni who played for the All Star team is also on the move.
He’s set to make a move from Togolese side, Gomido FC to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the move and club yet to be finalized.
“We have not really finalized everything yet about the club I am moving to, but I’m going to change club for sure”, said Baboni.
The All Star Festival continues to be a pivotal event, not only for entertaining fans but also for providing a platform where players can showcase their talents and attract interest from clubs both locally and abroad.
The All Star Festival is an annual event that gathers home-based and foreign-based Ghanaian football stars with an international guest who are involved in a ceremonial yet competitive football match and other activities at locations in Ghana where they ordinarily do not experience these players do what they love.
The All Star Festival combines the All Star Game, which is the climaxing event, with other activities including the Legends Night, an event that recognizes and celebrate the contribution of past and legendary football icons (players, administrators, officials).
Other events of the All Star Festival include the Community Football Gala, a platform for unearthing the next generation of football talents, the Community Durbar that brings together traditional leaders and their people in a rich cultural display and The Sports Business Series, which brings together stakeholders across investors, performers, administrators, fans and others to engage in conversations that deepen the appreciation for sports as a business.
The All Star Festival is also heavy on entertainment with several activities with musicians.
The All Star Festival is organized by The Business Africa Consulting Group Limited, a Ghanaian strategic management consulting firm with operational interest across Sports Business, Marketing Communication and Media. The event has been organized three times as an off-season football gathering and other activities in June of 2022, 2023 and 2024 in Accra, Dormaa and Tamale.