FootyDream

FC Porto fans pine for the glory days when they used to be a force to reckon with not in Portugal but on the continent also, when winning silverware at the highest levels was achievable and when they had the sort of committed and talented heroes that other teams in their division would kill for.

There’s no doubt that supporters of ‘Azuis e brancos’, currently facing in a decade in the doldrums of continental silverware, miss the halcyon days. The Dragons last won a European title in 2011 when they defeated SC Braga in an all- Portuguese final of a European competition. Radamel Falcao scored that important goal to win the Europa League trophy for Andre Villas-Boas’ side. The famous blue and white shirt of FC Porto has graced the shoulders of many legendary footballers over the course of the club’s rich, successful history. Varying personalities, profiles, and backgrounds put this shirt on over the club’s storied 126-year legacy, administering an array of different playing styles and methods of expression on the pitch. 

The club is credited with giving African footballers the opportunity to hone their skills in Europe. The likes of Rabah Madjah, Benny McCarthy,Malagueta, Chancel Mbemba, Ze Luis, Vincent Aboubakar, Moussa Marega are among the continent’s players to play for the Portuguese giants. Ghana has had its share too with David Addy and Christian Atsu, Daniel Opare and Abdul Majeed Waris. The latest Ghanaian to join the fold of FC Porto is Kelvin Owusu Boateng.

 Born in Aboabo, a suburb of Kumasi, Ghana’s second city, Boateng’s football journey began like most of the African footballers. 

On the sandy pitches and usually barefooted, he and his compatriots turned out for various youth football clubs. They just enjoyed playing the game and were content with tips or being carried on shoulders as a reward for standout performance. That was about all the game had for them.  Zebra FC, a colts club in the city offered the young Kelvin the chance to learn the rope. The Celtics Park at Yelwa became the theatre of his first marauding runs, the ball already glued to his right foot. It was here that his instincts and the ability to find the back of the net were noticed. He scored goals for fun! Little Boateng was obsessed with football as a kid and showed an immediate aptitude for the beautiful game on the floor of a shabby park.

It is easier to count the number of clubs which weren’t interested in signing Kelvin Owusu Boateng than those that tried to acquire him after his consistent impressive showings but it was Right to Dream Academy that won the race to sign him on.  For those aware of his talent and upbringing, it was refreshing news to have such a talented youngster joining one of the country’s biggest football academies. His spindly build was a direct consequence of malnutrition, owing to a lack of money to properly feed himself. In fact, his impoverished barely had enough money to feed on so he had to engage in menial jobs to support himself and his family financially.

It was a hard upbringing, one which required him to learn who he was from an early age. He would always assure his family of turning the fortunes of the family around because he had the conviction of becoming a great footballer in the future. Kid’s play has now become a reality. “Life has not been easy for me,” he reflects. “I’ve suffered a lot. I’ve been there before. Now look at me, I might not be okay, but my life has changed. He told kickgh.com

  Fierce shooting with either foot, a constant threat in the air and a finely tuned predatory instinct in the box combine to make Boateng a complete forward. He continued his goal scoring exploits at Right to Dream Academy bettering his own goal-scoring records year after year and landed a trial with Portuguese outfit, CD Aves in 2018. Lady luck had smiled on him and got selected among the many that participated in the trials. He was asked to join the club’s U19 side where he netted 16 times in 32 appearances in his debut season. This was certainly good enough to earn him promotion into the club’s U23.  

He didn’t disappoint but returned the confidence reposed in by his coaches. He registered 12 goals in 32 games. The stats were good enough to earn him another promotion but this time into the senior team. His debut display was of such a high quality, that he made two further appearances before the season ended. On 14 July 2020, FC Porto announced the signing of the 20-year old Ghanaian forward on a season-long loan with an option to buy should he excel with Porto’s reserve side, Porto B.

 “There are no words to describe what I feel at the moment. I am very excited to be joining FC Porto and I want to make history here. I want to help FC Porto B and score goals so that I can reach the main team. Collectively, we will fight for victory in every game, whatever the opponent.” quipped Boateng after his unveiling to the media. Possessing an appreciable height and brave, Boateng can hold his own alongside the toughest of centre-backs, but rather than his physique, his guile and intelligent positioning enable him to outwit defenders. His uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time means he regularly finds scoring opportunities. 

Equally comfortable going for goal with either foot or with his head, and never afraid to miss, it is no surprise to see him become a mainstay at his new club. With skilful feet and a sharp football brain, he has excellent link-up play and can spot a pass. A willing grafter, he’s also not averse to working the flanks and has decent crossing ability.

He loves to contribute to the build-up around the penalty area rather than wait for the ball. Few gave him the chance to succeed but Boateng’s appetite for a big impact on elite-level football was not sated.”I have come this far by believing in God and my ability. I hope to do more than what I am currently doing. I’ll continue to learn and do more. I shall make all connected to my journey proud.”  He gushed. In the end, football shows us there are many roads to the top. We’ve seen countless cases of child prodigies who promised plenty but ultimately amounted to little. Similarly, we’ve seen the late bloomers who never quite made it in their pomp but came good in the latter years of their career.

Then there are the players who slip through the net altogether. What matters most is that you make it in the end. So while Kelvin Owusu Boateng doesn’t have the world talking about him just yet, if he continues in the same vein, it may not be long the world will hear of him. 

By: Godfred Budu Yeboah/Kickgh.com

Most of us were not around when it happened. But that does not mean that we don’t need to know. And thanks to our historians and records keepers, we are able to know the past!

The various records showed that our country used to be very great in the past – the name Ghana is said to mean the Warrior King! So, what actually happened to bring us back to where we are now?

There are those who even believe that our country is under some forms of spell due to some forms of offences committed against some of the Patriots in the past. Well, let’s assume none of those theories are true and have a look at some greatness we have achieved before.- Advertisement –

On Sunday, March 3, 1968, a Ghanaian first division soccer club (Asante Kotoko), a champion club of Ghana at the time scored the touring English first division club Stoke City at the Kumasi Sports Stadium now Baba Yara Stadium by three goals to one!

Gordon Banks, the second world best goalkeeper at the time and the best in the history of the English soccer could not defend the English club despite all miracles he has done at the world cup in 1966.

Due to his track records, all attention was on Banks. He never conceded more than two goals in a game during the 1966 world cup, but the Kumasi boys proved to him that Ghana is Ghana. They placed 3 balls into his net!

The Kotoko boys started the game poorly which resulted in conceding a 10th-minute goal from Alan Bloor, putting Stoke City in the lead. But the table turned in favour of the Kumasi boys and this resulted in the equalizer in the 24th minute after a brilliant combination between Osei Kofi and Abukari Gariba. This caused Osei Kofi to place the ball at the back of Banks’ net.

In the 68th minute, Abukari Scored to put the Porcupines in front before Osei Kofi made it three.- Advertisement –

In the return leg at Stoke City’s ground, Stoke avenged defeat, beating Kotoko 3-2, but Osei Kofi, the Dribbling Magician as he was affectionately known scored two goals again, and once again it was Gordon Banks. Following the match, Gordon Bank compared Osei Kofi to George Best. Although Stoke offered a contract to Osei Kofi, he was not to return to the UK, a decision he says he never regretted.

Lineups

Asante Kotoko: Vanden Boosch, Assuming, Boateng, Berko, Iddi, Ibrahim Sunday, Osei Kofi, Mfum, Malik Jabir, Abukari Gariba and Osumanu Orlando

Stoke City: Gordon Banks, Alex Elder, Bill Bentley, John Marsh, Alan Bloor, Willy Stephenson, Terry Conroy, George Eastham, Peter Dobing, John Mohoney and Hurry Burrows.

Credit:Myfabulousonline

On this day 20 August 1995 (Exactly 25 years ago today) Ghana’s Black Starlets made it three in a row for Africa as they swept to a thrilling 3-2 victory against Brazil in the final of the 1995 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

The Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo is a wonderful backdrop against which to lift a trophy.

The iconic venue, home to Ecuadorian football club Barcelona in the city of Guayaquil, is flanked on one side by an estuary, which its rivers directly flow to the Pacific Ocean, and on the other by lush vegetation on a rising mountainside.

Young footballers in that corner of South America must dream of showing their talents on that particular stage.

In August 1995, youngsters from around the world had the opportunity to do so, as the stadium played host to a number of games at the 1995 FIFA U-17 World Cup, including the final between Ghana and Brazil.

That finale was a fitting end to a pulsating tournament.

However, it was to be the Ghanaians, who had won the inaugural U-17 tournament in 1991 (following a change from U-16 format) and the Brazilians, in their first final at this level, who reached that stunning setting to battle it out for the global U-17 crown.

The Black Starlets boasted a brilliant team, which had won every one of their five games en route to the final. They had also shared their ten goals out up to the decider, with only Abu Iddrisu and Dini Kamara scoring more than once. Brazil, who had struck 11 times on their way to the final, also had a strong team ethic, with only Rodrigo having scored more than once in Ecuador before the showdown in Guayaquil.

It proved to be an enthralling final in front of 30,000 expectant fans at the Estadio Monumental. After a terse opening period, the game exploded into life six minutes before the break.

Joseph Ansah found space on the Ghanaian right after a set-piece was only half-cleared by the Brazilian defence.

Ansah’s dipping long-range drive was parried by Julio Cesar into the path of the onrushing Baba Sule, who lobbed the Brazil goalkeeper.

The game’s standout moment came just before the break. A long kick downfield by Ghana goalkeeper Michael Abu found its way to Awudu Issaka, who danced past a couple of Brazilian challenges before poking the ball towards Abu Iddrisu.

The Ghana No9, as control, saw the ball bounce up on the turf invitingly and the forward needed no second invitation, with Iddrisu thumping a sensational arcing strike into the top corner beyond the despairing Julio Cesar.

The goalscorer sprinted towards the Ghana bench in elation, joined in a celebratory dance by his team-mates and members of the coaching staff, some in traditional African dress.

Goal glut for Ghanaians

After the break, Juan reduced the deficit for the bewildered Brazilians, acrobatically volleying home after a corner kick led to a scramble in the Ghana penalty area.

However, minutes later, the Ghanaians restored their two-goal lead with a ruthless counter-attack.

The Brazilians surrendered possession with a lackadaisical pass that was pounced upon by Patrick Allotey.

He burst out of defence, played a swift one-two with Iddrisu and spread the play wide to Dini Kamara, who sprinted clear down the Ghanaian right.

Kamara cut the ball back across the Brazilian penalty area, leaving the onrushing Emmanuel Bentil with a straightforward tap-in.

The game had seen four goals in just ten minutes of action either side of half time.

Despite Marco Antonio’s breakaway goal in injury time, the Black Starlets held on to reclaim the title they had surrendered two years previously to Nigeria.

The Brazilians would get their revenge at U-17 level two years later, as Ghana reached their fourth consecutive final only to fall to a 2-1 defeat to Brazil.

The majority of the Ghanaians who played in 1995 final in Ecuador, though, had already made a step up to a more senior age group, with seven of the 11 starting finalists playing a part in the country’s run to the 1997 FIFA U-20 World Cup semi-finals.

Of the defeated finalists in Ecuador, revenge was a long time coming for Juan and Julio Cesar, who faced Stephen Appiah (an unused substitute in 1995), as the senior Brazil side saw off Ghana with ease in a 3-0 victory at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany.

Despite the Brazilians’ dominance at senior level in Germany, Appiah and Co will always have that trip to South America for posterity, when they were the African kings of Guayaquil.

Match Summary

Venue: Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo

Score: Ghana 3-2 Brazil

Goals Scored Ghana: Baba Sule (39) Abu Iddrisu (45) Emmanuel Bentil (49)

Brazil: Juan (47) Marco Antonio (90)

GHANA’S 1995 FIFA U-17 CUP SQUAD

Michael Abu, Kwaku Kyere, Bashiru Gambo, Stephen Appiah, Patrick Allotey, Attakora Amaniampong, Dini Kamara, Joseph Ansah, Abu Iddrisu, Emmanuel Bentil, David Amoako, Awudu Issaka, Christian Gyan, Baba Sule, Christian Saba, Raymond Fenny, Charles Akwei, Richard Ackon.

Coach : Samuel Arday

credit: Happy FM