{{short description|Ghanaian footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Joseph Bempah | image = | fullname = Joseph Owusu Bempah | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|09|05|df=y}} | birth_place = Offinso, Ghana | height = {{Height|m=1.69}} | position = Midfielder | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = King Faisal | youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = Real Tamale | youthyears3 = | youthclubs3 = New Edubiase | youthyears4 = | youthclubs4 = Hearts of Oak | years1 = 2012–2016 | clubs1 = Hearts of Oak | caps1 = 57 | goals1 = 1 | years2 = 2017 | clubs2 = Bechem United | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2017 | clubs3 = Vojvodina | caps3 = 9 | goals3 = 3 | years4 = 2018 | clubs4 = Murciélagos | caps4 = 5 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2018 | clubs5 = Sloboda Užice | caps5 = 14 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2019 | clubs6 = Proleter Novi Sad | caps6 = 10 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2019–2020 | clubs7 = Radnički Pirot | caps7 = 7 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2020–2021 | clubs8 = Borac Čačak | caps8 = 28 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 2021–2022 | clubs9 = Ashanti Gold | caps9 = 1 | goals9 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2015 | nationalteam1 = Ghana U20 | nationalcaps1 = 5 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | medaltemplates = {{Medal|Bronze|African U-20 Championship|2015}} | pcupdate = 23 August 2020 | ntupdate = }}
'''Joseph "Joja" Owusu Bempah''' (born 5 September 1995) is a Ghanaian footballer.
==Club career== ===Ghanaian Premier League=== Born in Offinso, Ashanti Region, Ghana, Bempah played with several clubs in his early years, including King Faisal Babes, Real Tamale United and New Edubiase United. He joined Accra Hearts of Oak in 2012 and since the beginning of 2013 he became the first squad player.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ghanasportsonline.com/index.php/international-news/item/3412-trio-abanga-gnagne-owusu-bempah-set-to-get-pay-rise-at-hearts-of-oak|title=Trio Abanga, Gnagne, Owusu Bempah set to get pay rise at Hearts of Oak|website=ghanasportsonline.com|date=14 January 2015|accessdate=14 May 2017}}</ref> During the time he played with the club he was also awarded with a captain's armband. At the beginning of 2017, after the end of contract with his former club Hearts of Oak,<ref name="exdf">{{cite web |url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/ex-hearts-defender-joseph-owusu-bempah-back-on-the-radar-of-premier-league-new-boys-elmina-sharks|title=Ex-Hearts defender Joseph Owusu Bempah back on the radar of Premier League new boys Elmina Sharks|website=ghanasoccernet.com|date=29 November 2016|accessdate=14 May 2017}}</ref> he permanently moved to Bechem United as a free agent,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ocsportsnews.com/joseph-owusu-bempah-pens-down-three-years-deal-with-bechem-united|title=Joseph Owusu Bempah Pens Down Three Years Deal With Bechem United|website=ocsportsnews.com|date=11 January 2017|accessdate=14 May 2017}}</ref> but shortly after he terminated the deal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/ex-hearts-defender-owusu-bempah-mutually-part-ways-with-bechem-united|title=Ex-Hearts defender Owusu Bempah mutually part ways with Bechem United|website=ghanasoccernet.com|date=24 January 2017|accessdate=14 May 2017}}</ref>
===Move to Europe: Vojvodina=== Bempah moved to the Serbian SuperLiga side Vojvodina at the beginning of 2017, but due to administrative problems, he officially joined the club in May same year.<ref name="butasport">{{cite web|url=http://www.butasport.rs/fudbal/butasport-saznaje-vojvodina-se-pojacala-sa-dva-mlada-reprezentativca-gane|title=BUTASPORT SAZNAJE: Vojvodina se pojačala sa dva mlada reprezentativca Gane!|website=butasport.rs|language=Serbian|date=12 May 2017|accessdate=14 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818022422/http://www.butasport.rs/fudbal/butasport-saznaje-vojvodina-se-pojacala-sa-dva-mlada-reprezentativca-gane/|archive-date=18 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> He made his debut in 35 fixture of the 2016–17 season, replacing Siniša Babić in 84 minute of the match against Radnički Niš.<ref name="fkvdebut">{{cite web |url=http://www.fkvojvodina.rs/2017/05/vosa-do-boda-sa-desetoricom|title=Voša do boda sa desetoricom|website=FK Vojvodina official website|language=Serbian|date=13 May 2017|accessdate=14 May 2017}}</ref> On 7 June 2017, Bempah signed a three-year contract with the club.<ref name="fkvcontract">{{cite web|url=http://www.fkvojvodina.rs/2017/06/bempah-i-afrijie-potpisali-za-vojvodinu|title=Bempah i Afrijie potpisali za Vojvodinu|website=FK Vojvodina official website|language=Serbian|date=7 June 2017|accessdate=7 June 2017|archive-date=10 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610033548/http://www.fkvojvodina.rs/2017/06/bempah-i-afrijie-potpisali-za-vojvodinu/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He scored his first goal for Vojvodina in opening match of the 2017–18 Serbian SuperLiga season for 1–0 win over Čukarički on 21 July 2017.<ref name="firstgoal">{{cite web |url=https://www.novosti.rs/%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8/%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%82.434.html:677031-Dzozef-Ovusu-Bempah-junak-pobede-Vojvodine-nad-Cukarickim-Golgeter-koji-se-smeje|title=Џозеф Овусу Бемпах, јунак победе Војводине над Чукаричким: Голгетер који се смеје|website=Večernje novosti|language=Serbian|date=21 July 2017|accessdate=22 July 2017}}</ref> Bempah also scored in the first match he started on the field, against Radnik Surdulica next week.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vranjske.co.rs/info/%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B2%D1%80%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D1%83%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B0-%D1%83-%D1%81%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B4%D1%83%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B8-%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%98%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0-04|title=Завршена утакмица у Сурдулици: Радник - Војводина 0:4|website=vranjske.co.rs|language=Serbian|date=29 July 2017|accessdate=29 July 2017}}</ref> On 9 August 2017, Bempah scored in 2–0 away win against Borac Čačak, helping Vojvodina to make 4th successive win and collect all 12 points at the beginning of the domestic competition in Serbia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mozzartsport.com/vesti/bempa-i-mihajlovic-poveli-vosu-na-vrh-ozegovic-obradovao-brdo-prvenac-za-rad/174953|title=Bempah i Mihajlović poveli Vošu na vrh! Ožegović obradovao Brdo, prvenac za Rad|website=mozzartsport.com|language=Serbian|date=9 August 2017|accessdate=10 August 2017}}</ref> At early December 2017, Bempah and Vojvodina mutually terminated the contract.<ref>[http://sport.citifmonline.com/2017/12/04/exclusive-former-hearts-duo-owusu-bempah-and-afriyie-secure-mexico-move Exclusive: Former Hearts duo Owusu Bempah and Afriyie secure Mexico move] at citifmonline.com, 4-12-2017</ref>
==International career== Bempah captained Ghana national under-20 football team at the 2015 African U-20 Championship,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanafa.org/pages/blacksatellites/201502/10210.php|title=Ghana names final 21-man squad for 2015 African Youth Championship|website=Ghana Football Association|language=Serbian|accessdate=26 February 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012844/http://www.ghanafa.org/pages/blacksatellites/201502/10210.php|archivedate=5 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="captain">{{cite web |url=https://africanfootball.com/news/519275/Ghana-U20-captain-rues-missed-chances|title=Ghana U20 captain rues missed chances|website=africanfootball.com|date=19 March 2016|accessdate=10 August 2017}}</ref> where he won bronze medal, beating Mali for the third place on the tournament.<ref name="cafonline">{{cite web |url=http://www.cafonline.com/en-US/NewsCenter/News/NewsDetails?id=hEdTxUHrT2Fei22xO%2f87bA%3d%3d|title=Reactions: Mali 1-3 Ghana|website=Confederation of African Football|date=22 March 2015|accessdate=10 August 2017}}</ref> Bempah was also a squad member at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he capped on match against Austria in a group stage.<ref name="soccerway"/>
==Style of play== In early years of his career, Bempah has started playing football as a defender, mostly operating as a right side full-back being capable of playing left too.<ref name="exdf"/><ref name="captain"/> Beside the defensive skills, he has a great explosive power. Moving to the European football, Bempah has been mostly used as a defensive or central midfielder.<ref name="butasport"/> Having a back-up role for a few months in his first matches with Vojvodina, he affirmed himself as a utility player.<ref name="fkvdebut"/><ref name="firstgoal"/> Bempah also capped as a second striker a couple of times before he became the regular member of Vojvodina's first squad as a right winger.<ref name="fkvcontract"/> As one of the most successful goal poachers, Bempah scored in 3 of 4 games at the beginning 2017–18 Serbian SuperLiga season.<ref name="soccerway"/>
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|22 May 2018}}<ref name="soccerway">{{Soccerway|joseph-bempah/405505}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;font-size:90%" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="5" valign="center"|Hearts of Oak |2012–13 |rowspan=4|Premier League ||15||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||15||0 |- |2013–14 ||15||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||15||0 |- |2015 ||15||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||15||0 |- |2016 ||12||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||12||1 |- !colspan="2"| Total !57!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!57!!1 |- |rowspan="3" valign="center"|Vojvodina |2016–17<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.superliga.rs/sezone/2016-17/player/1-super-liga-srbije-2016-17/636-66-bempah-joseph-owusu|title=Bempah, Joseph Owusu 2016–17 season|website=Serbian SuperLiga official website|language=Serbian|accessdate=14 May 2017}}</ref> |rowspan=2|SuperLiga ||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- |2017–18<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.superliga.rs/sezone/2017-18/player/2-super-liga-srbije-2017-18/771-66-bempah-joseph-owusu|title=Bempah, Joseph Owusu 2017–18 season|website=Serbian SuperLiga official website|language=Serbian|accessdate=10 August 2017}}</ref> ||8||3||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||9||3 |- !colspan="2"| Total !9!!3!!1!!0!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!10!!3 |- |rowspan="2" valign="center"|Murciélagos |2017–18 |Ascenso MX ||5||0||3||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||8||0 |- !colspan="2"| Total !5!!0!!3!!0!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!8!!0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !71!!4!!4!!0!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!75!!4 |}
==Honours== '''Ghana U20''' *African U-20 Championship bronze medal: 2015<ref name="cafonline"/>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{WorldFootball.net|joseph-bempah}} * {{soccerway}} * {{Soccerbase|103519}} * {{FIFA player|385874}} * {{UEFA player|250109809}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bempah, Joseph Owusu}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Ashanti Region Category:Men's association football utility players Category:Ghanaian men's footballers Category:Ghana Premier League players Category:Accra Hearts of Oak S.C. players Category:Ghanaian expatriate men's footballers Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in Serbia Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Serbia Category:FK Vojvodina players Category:FK Sloboda Užice players Category:FK Proleter Novi Sad players Category:FK Radnički Pirot players Category:FK Borac Čačak players Category:Ashanti Gold S.C. players Category:Serbian SuperLiga players Category:Serbian First League players Category:Murciélagos F.C. footballers Category:Liga MX players Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Mexico Category:Men's association football full-backs Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Real Tamale United players Category:New Edubiase United F.C. players Category:21st-century Ghanaian sportsmen