UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
By Abagna Jose Nelson
One team took the 2023 Zida Juvenile Tournament by storm over the weekend. It was an enviable achievement as AKayonga Redeem FC, a first time participant in the Zida Juvenile Tournament went through the entire tournament with a 100% record en route to winning the U-17 category.
Not since the inception of the tournament in 2011 has a first-time participant won it. The 12th edition of the Zida Juvenile Championship took place between 21st to 27th April 2023 in the Upper East Regional capital, Bolgatanga.
Twenty (20) male colts teams took part in the tournament in a U-13, U-15 and U-17 categories. One of such teams was AKayonga Redeem FC from the Bongo District in the Upper East Region.
Before the tournament, much was not known of the side but the team took everyone by surprise with their beautiful, attacking football while also not conceding too many goals. In fact, the team let in just two goals during the entire tournament.
AKayonga Redeem FC was drawn in group A together with Young Ashford, Pride FC, Young Zaurungo FC and Soe Stoppers FC. Many sports enthusiasts gave them very little chance of making it out of the group, especially considering the fact that it was their first time taking part in the competition
But the team qualified from the group with the maximum 12 points, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one in the process. According to their coach Atimolgo Mark, their target was met after reaching the quarterfinals and anything from there would be considered a bonus.
However, his side scored Sumbrungu FC 1-0 in the quarterfinals to book a semifinal battle with one of the well-financed and organized colts teams in the region, Bolga All Stars Babies.
The performance of AKayonga Redeem FC in the semifinals against Bolga All Stars clearly showed the team was poised to make history as they dominated proceedings and deservedly won the match 2-0 to set up a final showdown with GARU Soccer Stars.
In the grand finale, AKayonga Redeem FC played one of the best football ever seen at the Bolgatanga Mobil Park in recent times as they entertained fans to a tiki-taka-like football, while creating a lot of scoring chances.
It, therefore, did not come as a surprise when they raced onto a 2-0 lead at the end of the first half. GARU Soccer Stars, however managed to pull one back in the second half to end the match 2-1 in favor of Redeem FC. The team did not only win the U-17 Category but also produced the category’s best goalkeeper, Abanga Gideon.
Top-scorer in James Atimolgo and the overall best player of the division, Denis Nyaaba who was a delight to watch during the entire tournament. (And was invited into the national U17 Side, Black Starlets right after the tournament)
The magnificent performance of Akanyoga Redeem FC goes to re-strengthen the argument that talents are bound in every corner of Ghana and that teams from the hinterlands can compete with those in the bigger cities, given similar opportunities.
It is the reason why I have always advocate that the various national youth team handles scout across the entire nation for players not limiting their scouting exercise to the bigger cities alone.
Had it not been this zida tournament upper east region and Ghana as a whole would not have heard of Denis Nyaaba who was scouted through the tournament and eventually getting a call up into the national U17 Side.
To win the tournament with a 100% record – against notable and well-established teams in the region like Bolga All Star Babies, Soe Soccer Masters, Bolga FC, Stoppers etc – tells us the quality of the side and if management of the team can keep this side together, they will be a torn in the flesh of many teams in the region and the country at large.
And if Denis Nyaaba and Atimolgo Peter can maintain their composure, self-discipline and keep the kind of form they showed at the ZIDA tournament in future tournaments, then I must say the sky will be the beginning for their football careers.
The two players showed a lot of class and were clearly ahead of their peers and it did not come as a surprise to many watchers of the tournament when Denis Nyaaba and Atimolgo Peter won the Best Player and Top Scorer awards, respectively, at the end of the tournament.
According to the team manager of the side, John Alurugu, the main aim of putting the team together is to give football opportunities to the talented young players within the Bongo Beo enclave, whiles also instilling in them the spirit of disciplined and also encouraging them to go to school.
He emphasized that by so doing and engaging them in football it will help reduce their minds from getting involve with alcoholic drinking and all social vices that will not help them.
He added that since the inception of the team they have produced players that are playing in the Ghana Premier League, notable among them is Mohammed Asigre of Karela United and they are delighted that during this tournament they have a player that have wormed a national team jersey, making reference to Denis Nyaaba who was invited into the national U17 side, The Black Starlets.
However, he mentioned finance as the key challenge the club is facing as football is a capital intensive business as money is always needed for meeting vital needs such as camping cost, food, health, equipment, motivation and transport. The club lacks the much needed funds, hence, currently depends on philanthropic donations from supporters, well-wishers and the to fund the club’s activities. However, such donations are not easily forthcoming, thus putting the club’s activities and programmes in jeopardy.
This problem has been ameliorated by the provision of a kit sponsorship package by TAP HOTEL, which provides jerseys and boots for the club. However, the club still needs support and funding in terms of balls, food, health and transport among other things. We would therefore be happy to receive donations in cash or kind from individuals and organizations willing to contribute to society by supporting initiatives such as ours meant to salvage the future of vulnerable youths in deprived African communities.
He added that coming to Bolga from Akanyoga, staying here and feeding over 30 players for one week for this tournament has not been easy and it is the reason why they are calling for support in order to keep the boys active and taking their minds of all the negative social vices whiles concentrating on their football careers.
Congratulations to AKayonga Redeem FC for showing that football is not only played in the bigger cities.
The Zida Juvenile tournament is an annual juvenile football championship being organized by, Mr. Salifu Zida Upper East Regional Football Association Chairman as way of nurturing talents for the Upper East region and this year`s edition was the 12th since the tournament started.
LONG LIVE AKAYONGA REDEEM FC, LONG LIVE THE ZIDA TOURNAMENT, LONG LIVE UPPER EAST FOOTBALL.
Feature written by Abagna Jose Nelson
Source : gbcuraonline.com
