Black Star Spotlight: Rising Talent Ibrahim Sulemana Requires More Game Time at Atalanta for Success

For a considerable duration, Ghana has been on the lookout for a dependable midfield ally to pair with Thomas Partey.

Anticipation grew when Ibrahim Sulemana burst onto the scene as a talented prospect. The tenacious midfielder was a starter in both fixtures during the November international window for the Black Stars in the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Angola and Niger.

In the month preceding that, he also commenced in two matches against Sudan, receiving commendations for his display at home.

Regrettably, Sulemana missed the recent World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar due to injury concerns.

His minimal playing time this season adds further difficulty in securing a place in the national squad when all players are available.

With just two months remaining in the season, Sulemana has only featured in six matches for Atalanta, starting just once and totalling a mere 146 minutes of play – a worrisome stat for a young midfielder still refining his skills.

Sulemana’s career initially held great promise. After advancing through the U19 ranks at Hellas Verona, he stepped up to their senior team for a season, participating in 16 Serie A matches and accumulating 651 minutes on the pitch.

He subsequently transferred to Cagliari, where he doubled his playing time to 1,339 minutes in Serie A, netted two goals, and played a pivotal role in helping the club stave off relegation.

However, his switch to title-challenging Atalanta seems to have been a bit ambitious, as he now faces stiff competition from established players such as Mario Pasalic, Ederson, and Marten de Roon.

Despite his scarce opportunities this season, Sulemana has offered tantalising glimpses of his abilities. His passing accuracy currently stands at an impressive 88.3%, and he has completed more final-third passes than 12 of his Atalanta teammates.

Nevertheless, his underlying stats have regressed since his debut professional season at Hellas Verona, where he excelled defensively, ranking in the 80th percentile for aerial duels won, 87th percentile for possession regained, and 76th percentile for defensive actions.

At just 21, Sulemana possesses ample time to refine his abilities, yet these formative years are critical in shaping his game intelligence and consistency.

A possible transfer or more significant playing time at Atalanta could furnish him with the stability essential for his development.

With Ederson rumoured to be considering overseas moves this summer, there could be an opportunity for Sulemana, although Atalanta might opt to bolster their midfield even further.

On a personal front, Sulemana requires certainty and assurance regarding pitch time, especially given the competitive environment for midfield positions within the Black Stars.

The competition in Ghana’s midfield is intense. Coach Otto Addo has players such as Thomas Partey, Majeed Ashimeru, Elisha Owusu, Francis Abu, Forson Amankwah, Lawrence Agyekum, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, and Ernest Nuamah all vying for just two starting slots.

In order for Sulemana to cement his place in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, next season must be a game-changer – he requires consistent game time to demonstrate his worthiness for national team selection.

The Black Star Watch is an engaging weekly column penned by Owuraku Ampofo, an experienced sports journalist with over five years in reporting on Ghanaian athletes. This column aims to explore trends, address key questions, and highlight topics surrounding Ghanaian footballers.