Former Black Stars striker Augustine Arhinful is known for a nickname that he earned not for his exceptional skills on the field, but for a rather unexpected reason.
The origin of his nickname is linked to an accusation by journalist Fiifi Banson, who suggested that Arhinful was the neatest player on the Black Stars team.
This nickname, implying Arhinful’s impeccable cleanliness on the field, was born from a sarcastic comment made by Banson. The journalist accused Arhinful of avoiding tackles, quickly getting back on his feet, and checking his shirt after challenges.
This accusation came after a poor performance against Côte d’Ivoire during the 2000 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Despite the usual muddy conditions of the pitches in the ’90s, Arhinful’s nickname intriguingly suggests that he managed to keep his shirt clean, sparking curiosity about his on-field habits.
In an interview with Dan Kwaku Yeboah, Arhinful shared the story behind his nickname, revealing how Banson’s comments led to the creation of this unique reputation. This anecdote highlights the unexpected ways in which footballers can earn their nicknames, often beyond their playing abilities.
“I got injured against Cameroon in the first game; I had a groin injury. I didn’t play the next game against Togo, but Giuseppe Dossena (then Black Stars coach) wanted me to play against Côte d’Ivoire at all costs. They injected me and iced me.
Due to the sheer pressure from him and my love for wanting to represent the nation, I said, ‘Okay, maybe I will play.’ But any other coach probably wouldn’t have played me because Yaw Preko had played a good game against Togo,” he said.
“In that match against Côte d’Ivoire, I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t run because, as you know, a groin injury gets worse when you try to stretch it.
So, when we lost that match, Fiifi Banson said on his show on Peace FM that it looked like I didn’t want to play. Like, I didn’t even want to fall.
He meant it in a jovial way, but that comment has stuck in the heads of Ghanaians. People who did not even see the game say the same thing and call me that,” he added.
Arhinful emphasized that the nickname does not bother him, as it is unrealistic to expect a player to emerge from a football match without any stains.
“I don’t know, but it also doesn’t bother me. Because you can’t tell me somebody would play football at Caradan Park without getting stained. It’s not possible.”
Having played for Assin Fosu Soccer Missionaries and Ashanti Gold in the Ghana Premier League before moving to Europe, Arhinful is best remembered for his time with Ashanti Gold and Black Stars.