There is one question to ask when it comes to Accra Polytechnic superstars?
The first is how will they play together during the 2014 UPAC games in Accra?
Baniba Dodzie is arguably the best player in Ghana, Daniel Nii Aryee is an established big man who put up video game numbers and Nicholas Amuzu is an ultra-talented point guard and still counting with his awesome attacking flair and instinct.
Put the trio together and you have the best brain of players from the stables of one particular team: ACCRA POLYTECHNIC.
They have built their chemistry over the years to make them the fearsome four in the Accra Poly set-up, chalking massive successes on both the UPAC and GHAPSA front.
In a perfect setting (at least for the Accra-based side), these will be non-issue. This is the perfect opportunity for an eclectic group of players to establish their roles and get to know the tendencies of other emerging talents.
Accra Poly will be favourite for the title in the upcoming UPAC games in the eyes of many, but as we saw with the University of Ghana in 2011, nothing is guaranteed. They must create a cohesive unit, and that starts now.
A Poly is by the far the most established and successful basketball team at the tertiary level and have demonstrated year after year that they are an unconquerable side without a shred of doubt.
They won the UPAC Championship after beating the University of Education, Winneba, in an epic final three years ago at the main court of the University of Ghana.
That feat followed their triumph in the zone 3 qualifiers where they silenced host University of Ghana and made nonsense of their vociferous home supporters to dish out the resounding win.
The performance was pure and simple they thought their host a great basketball lessons-beating their sworn rivals 39-19 to win zone 2 championship.
The two sides met for the first time and veteran Coach Braimah Lawah’s charges silenced the host side in the final game of the one-day competition which attracted a sizeable crowd to the main basketball court of the University of Ghana.
The GUSA Champions found arguably the championships’ best player Emmanuel Dickson too hot to handle as the final year student displayed maturity and power play to help his side clinch the ultimate trophy.
Students of Accra-Poly were there in their numbers and with the presence of the very popular cheer leading group, the ‘Zulu Community’; it was clear from the onset that they were in for the title.
Accra Poly have thus become a demigods at the Polytechnic level where they have dominated the Ghana Polytechnic Games over the past six years.
Their biggest and sworn-rivals the Takoradi Polytechnic will attest to their onslaught and power play.
The Growth of Daniel Nii Aryee (Doggie)
Daniel is a freak, and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible.
He has successfully proved his doubters wrong. His motor has never been in question, he’s been disciplined on offense and he’s been as effective on the boards as anyone would have hoped.
The worst part about it? He’s ageing.
Many believe the CEPS player is one of the most underrated players in the game’s history despite turning out in big games for the side.
He was one of the standout performers for the side as they clinched the double in 2011 and look the strongest contender to retain their title in the championship.
Nicknamed, Doggie, the impressive player has been an influential member of the CEPS story over the years with his presence expected to serve as real boost to the side ahead of their title defense.
Aryee’s plan of attack will help prevent stagnation from plaguing an otherwise talented offense, but as they say, defense wins championships.
There is no identity crisis on their hands with this year’s championship zooming right under their noses.
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has been touted as the side to pull the plugs on their dominance as they posses some quality in their team.
But A Poly have demonstrated that the get better with good opponent and will relish their chances against them and the other participating schools.
