Ali Jarrah
Ali Jarrah is a former 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 1991 Ghana U-17 team that won the 1991 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[1][2] He was the starting goalkeeper for the 1993 Ghana U-17 team that came in second in the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
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 temporarily 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, 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] Jarrah 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.