Hearts star Afriyie Barnieh reveals toughest defender he played against in 2021/22 GPL season

Daniel Afriyie Barnieh’s toughest defender to play against in the 2022/23 football season is Medeama centre-back Vincent Atinga.

The Phobian star had a fruitful campaign, leading his side to the MTN FA Cup title by netting the winner in the final.

Hearts beat Bechem United 2-1 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on June 26.

But interestingly, Afriyie Barnieh’s toughest defender he faced was not in the FA Cup, it was against Medeama’s Vincent Atingah who he faced twice in the Ghana Premier League.

“He’s an experienced defender and he has played in foreign leagues and met good players.

“Atinga plays with a lot of calmness and he seemed to know all our key moves and mine as well,” he told Asempa FM.

“Whenever I play against him, we both struggle and that’s because he’s experienced and understands the local game too.”

Vincent Atinga was at Hearts of Oak under Scottish coach Frank Nuttal in a team that built one of the best attacks in recent years.

With Winful Cobbinah, Thomas Abbey, Kwame Kizito and Patrick Razak, the Phobians reached the MTN FA Cup finals for the first time after 17 years.

But the Phobians were slaughtered by rivals Asante Kotoko in Tamale 3-1 after three first half goals from Saddick Adams.

Thomas Abbey got the consolation for Hearts.

By Dennis Ivan Opoku/Footyghana