If there ever is a perfect setting where physical engagement in football is ever-present in Ghana, our Zangos undoubtedly stand tall and firm. As to whether these dedicated efforts by folks yield to them proportional benefits, as we speak, is a cause of worry.
Growing up as chaps, my twin brother (Kamal) and I found feet in a vicinity with a blend of people from different cultures. A community where football is ‘life’. In fact, in a community where every upcoming youngster dreamt of being associated with the sport as their future prospects gradually called on them. Aboabo, a suburb in the heart of Kumasi, Ghana, was where this dream was sown, gradually watered and waiting to blossom. You can’t be a young chap in Aboabo and not have dreamt of ever being a footballer before.
As inquisitive as we were as kids, Kamal and I never missed that chance of getting involved in virtually all interesting activities around us. It was so obvious we would fall victims to the football syndrome. Our love for the game kept appreciating until that point we hesitated not to partake in our beloved game even with wretched boots and in situations we had bad health. Football became our daily bread. Sweating, feeling that intense heartbeat, inhaling the ‘smooth dust particles’ and getting kicked all around the pitch never seemed discouraging for being regulars on the field of play. In fact, having a chanting crowd witness your skillset was enough to keep pushing you through. That was where the motivation emanated from.
The real deal of well-organized soccer experience started for Kamal and I when we had that unique opportunity to join Aston Villa FC’s U13 side. Coach Asuma Abu spotted us and with owe of the talent displayed on the streets of Aboabo, his conscience convinced him we deserved to play in a more organized environment — where our talent could be highly utilized. Aston Villa FC alongside the likes of Corners Babies was widely known for being hubs of nurturing quality footballers within our vicinity.
Fast-forward, the two-day interval training sessions as well as Saturday and Sunday matches became a part and parcel of our weekly routine as young footballers. Indeed, these were exciting moments. This was a club where the best of talents congregated in the quest to increase their chances of reaching higher heights. Fortunately for us, performances in our early games caught our coach’s eye — thereby rendering us favored in the midst of equally good players.
Coach Asuma Abu was simply a lover of the game, a lover of footballing talents and a beloved guardian to them. Popularly known as “Boss”, coach epitomized hard work and dedication. His knowledgeable guidance saw us chalk many successes. What stood out for him as a coach, were his youthful exuberance, tactical prowess and most iconic, his dress code for match days. Every match-day, brought yet another opportunity to spot coach don his tacked long white sleeved shirt with flying tie as he displayed his usual antics on the touchline — just as Antonio Conte would relish to always do. Lol. His love for the sport was endless as a dedicated young man entering his 30s.
The attacking prowess of this team was almost impossible to be contained by opponents, as not less than a goal was smashed at the back of the net in every game by myself. It was quite fascinating and sensational playing in a team where my other half was at the other end of the pitch consistently making sure the goals we banged in eventually got us our desired victory. Kamal was our” shot-stopper and was as well not left out of the “nicknaming” fever. He was affectionately called “Thibaut Courtois”. Our (Kamal and I) quest was still one to be long-lived, as we got prematurely promoted to the U15 side and continued to showcase our skill sets.
Fast-forward, our dream started drowning into the deep waters. We had reached a point in our progression where we prematurely had to jump off the bandwagon to attend to a requirement of the hard work we had committed into our educational lives. We were starting our tertiary education after completing Senior High School. Such a let off it felt at the time.
The message was shared with Boss, and he was gobsmacked. He wasn’t necessarily shocked nor surprised of our strides in education — far from that. But to see his deepened hopes of us reaching the pinnacle of professional football falling apart, right in his face, was what he was weary about. To lose mercurial talents as such was one he couldn’t keep up with.
Our last match before leaving for school reached as this couldn’t have crowned our contribution any better. The Asem Park was the center of attraction. The referee whistled, and the game was underway. Fixated on showcasing that firepower in me (of course in us) for the very last time, I went pouncing on the ball after the opponents took the first pass backward. Before I could realize, I had tacked and had the ball in my possession right in front of the opponent’s 18-yard box. All left for me was to slot the ball to the bottom-right corner of the gigantic goalie. Wooo! A goal so soon? After winning by 2 goals to nil on our home grounds, my coach was amazed by the determination shown. Boss estimated that the goal came 14 sec into the game but I still believe it was rather 8. LOL
A farewell message was shared with Boss and our colleagues after that memorable match. Though sad, he inspiringly motivated us to not let our guards down but to fight really hard in our educational journey, just as we have fought all that while for Aston Villa FC. He added that though he is disappointed to not witness our fruitfulness in football, he is highly optimistic and equally envisages that our intelligence will see him witness greatness in our newly found love. We held that message dearly with a promise.
It is worth noting that whilst our (Kamal and I) footballing careers took a quick turn, most of our playing mates kept their dreams alive and continued to pursue their desired dreams years after. Sadly enough, their childhood dreams only seem to be fantasies as we speak. They have played the very best of footballs and showcased the very best of talents, but our support system which should have shone bright light on these young germs never seemed to find them. Discussions as to whether opportunities are readily available to spot the abundance of talent within Zangos need a relook. There virtually is no deliberate system in place to haunt for these talents — making them rot away.
Very few teammates of mine like Huda Issah, who played a major part in the Black Stars U-20 winning the WAFU Zone B Tournament this 2021, have been able to navigate this robust and highly politicized system. For how long can we continue with such a broken system where pure talents get no support?
These young kids spend all their lives preparing themselves for a brighter future. However, as the future draws nearer and nearer, their goals continue to see not the light of day. This keeps me worried, as most of my playing mates have lost several years of committed lives to what eventually ends up being a fruitless venture. Young footballers’ guardians are gradually losing interest in the game and this is threatening the prospects of football in Zango in the coming years.
Imagine what the story would have been if these great footballing talents had the chance to be in the limelight more often. Even with their great strides, imagine what story it would have been if these rejected juvenile team coaches were well trained and resourced to handle these talents. Most importantly, imagine what story it would have been if there were ample avenues to spot these young talents and nurture them through their ways to the top. Obviously, a lot more needs to be done by those who matter — The stakeholders.
Heart-breaking enough, Coach Asuma Abu has not lived long enough to witness the hopeful changes in the sport he loved. Neither has he lived to witness the results of the hope he had in our (Kamal and l) progress. Boss passed on. It is our fervent prayer that Allāh, The Almighty, keeps Coach in His safest abode till we meet again. Ameen.
Peace!
Listen to Podcast audio right above.
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