George Alhassan, nicknamed Jair, referring to Jairzinho, is a retired Ghanaian footballer.[1] He is best known for his exploits in the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations which saw him lift the trophy for the second time in his career.[2][3] During his career he played in Ghana, Gabon and Korea.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | George "Jair" Alhassan | ||
| Date of birth | 11 November 1955 | ||
| Place of birth | Kumasi, Ghana | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1974–1982 | Great Olympics | 325 | (78) |
| 1982–1984 | FC 105 | – | (–) |
| 1984 | Hyundai Horangi | 11 | (4) |
| 1985–1990 | Great Olympics | – | (–) |
| 1990–1992 | Berchem Sport | – | (–) |
| International career | |||
| 1970–1990 | Ghana | 17 | (7) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
He was given the nickname Jair, due to a similar style of play to the Brazilian player Jairzinho.
Club career
editAlhassan played for Accra Great Olympics[4] from 1974 to 1982 and later returned to play in 1985 to 1990. In the process he won the Ghana Premier League in his debut season in 1974.[5] From 1982 to 1984, he played for FC 105 Libreville in Gabon, where he won two trophies, the Gabon Championnat National D1 in 1983 and the Coupe du Gabon Interclubs in 1984.[6]
International career
editAlhassan made several appearances for the Ghana national football team, including qualifying matches for several FIFA World Cups. In 1978, he played for the Ghana squad who won the African Cup of Nations in home soil.[7] Four years later he helped Ghana regain the title successfully, being the top scorer of the tournament with four goals, including two against Algeria in the semifinal and one in the final against hosts Libya.
Personal life
editGeorge is the father of Kalif Alhassan, a professional football player in the United States with Tampa Bay Rowdies.[8][9]
After retirement
editIn October 2020, he was appointed as the Welfare Officer of his former club Accra Great Olympics.[5]
Honours
editClub
editGreat Olympics
- Ghana Premier League: 1974[5]
FC 105 Libreville[6]
International
editGhana
Individual
edit- African Cup of Nations Golden boot: 1982
- Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 1982
- Ghana Premier League Top scorer: 1977, 1985[10]
References
edit- ^ "I'm the best Ghanaian footballer of all time - George Alhassan". GhanaWeb. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "I don't regret not playing for Hearts and Kotoko – George Alhassan". Footballghana. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "No Current Black Stars Player Could Have Made 1982 & 1984 Bench With The Exception Of Partey - George Alhassan". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ Mac-Tetteh, Jonas (18 May 2017). "Gt. Olympics legend George Alhassan enstooled King of Football". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d Osman, Abdul Wadudu (12 October 2020). "Great Olympics appoint George Alhassan as the new welfare officer of the club". Football Made In Ghana. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ a b Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "George 'Jair' Alhassan". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "African Nations Cup 1978". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 27 January 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
- ^ Dornu-Leiku, Prince (5 June 2012). "Kalif Alhassan: 'I'm with Black Stars in spirit'". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Coach Edward Ansah's Churchill Brothers sign Ghanaian midfielder Kalif Alhassan". GhanaSoccernet. 8 September 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Ghana - List of Topscorers". RSSSF. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
External links
edit- George Alhassan – K League stats at kleague.com (in Korean)
- I couldn't play in Korea due to pork meat- Ex-Ghana top scorer - George Alhassan Interview
- I am the greatest Ghanaian player of all time - George Alhassan Interview
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