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Under 11’s Triumph at Tournament

The newest recruits to United Through Sport in Ghana which form part of our new Under 11 side triumphed at the Right to Dream under 11’s tournament last Saturday, 29th November 2014 .

After a shaky start in the first match the players adjusted to the pitch and match format – 10 minutes each side with no off-side rule. The first match ended with a disappointing 2-0 defeat from the opposition and rival academy Right to Dream, but they picked themselves up and outshone their opponents in the second match of the group stage with a brilliant 2-1 win. As the boys found their game, they went from strength to strength for the rest of the tournament – the third match saw the team pick up even more momentum scoring goal after goal with the match finishing at a staggering 5-1 win to United Through Sport. This fantastic score sealed United Through Sport’s place in the tournament final

The tournament final saw United Through Sport take on rival academy team, Right to Dream – unlike their first meeting at the beginning of the day’s tournament, neither team were able to outwit each other to score. At full time the score was still 0-0 and the referee added 10 minutes of extra time to the match, this still didn’t bring results and the game was taken to penalties. United Through Sport started off well against their opponents as they took an early lead, scoring their penalties and saving the Right to Dream attempts; this was short-lived though and the teams were soon tied as they reached the end of the best of five shoot out. United Through Sport clinched the match in the additional penalties added – fellow players from U13’s and U15’s were ecstatic and joined the boys in their celebrations along with the staff members that had accompanied them.

Before the teams called it a day, the presentation ceremony took place with two trophies being awarded – the first being for the winning team and the second being for the best player of the tournament. United Through Sport were delighted to receive both trophies – winning the tournament and the best player award which went to one of our newest recruits, Richmond Asante aka Pedro.

All of the United Through Sport players and staff were over the moon and extremely proud of their achievement. It just shows that hard work and determination really does pay off!

A huge congratulations goes to all of our Under 11’s – long may your successes continue!

The United Through Sport U17’s are competing in their own tournament this coming Friday (5th December) and we hope they are able to replicate the U11’s success from last weekend.

Our Ghana Academy defeats Right to Dream

The United Through Sport Ghana Academy football team have come a long way in their short time together. This Saturday they faced their toughtest test to date. St Thomas Aquinas Senior High School in Central Accra played host to the United Through Sport Ghana Academy versus Right to Dream Academy, considered by many to be the finest Academy of Football in Africa, with both the U17s and U15s matching up against each other.

The first game of the day featured the U17 age group. A cagey start from the United Through Sport team saw a few nervous misplaced passes whilst neither team looked too desperate to take risks by committing men forward. The relentless strong African sun did not slow the pace of the game. Incisive pass and move football down the Right to Dream left flank worked space in the centre only for United Through Sport left back William to make a last gasp saving block to keep the scores level. Most of the action occurred down this side of the pitch, with right back and winger James and Stephen [respectively] combining effectively to test the Right to Dream goalkeeper half an hour into the tight contest. Minutes later United Through Sport full back James Kumah again went on the overlap. After cutting inside onto his left foot his pile-driving effort cannoned off of the bar to the relief of the helpless goalkeeper. The United Through Sport team were growing into the game, their strong midfield double pivot allowed the wingers and forwards to roam and cause problems for the opposition defence. Opportunities were narrowly missed and the game remained goalless.

Two Right to Dream midfielders were booked in close succession for cynical fouls that disrupted United Through Sport breaks. The United Through Sport right was exposed in a move that saw the Right to Dream Academy take the lead. Some slick one touch pass and move football created the space for an inviting cross that was met with a firm half volley from the Right to Dream striker. Somewhat unfairly, the UTS team found themselves behind on the stroke of halftime. This served as a poignant reminder of the quality and ruthlessly that their opponents possessed.

The United Through Sport Academy did not let their heads drop, knowing they had played the majority of the first half in the Right to Dream half and knowing they had more than earned the right to play their esteemed rivals. One half time change and rousing team talk immediately had the desired effect, substitute right winger Ibrahim controlled a fantastic deep cross and drilled a stinging shot across the goal into the bottom corner of the goal to level up the score.

The momentum was with the United Through Sport team now. Successive efforts at the Right to Dream goal from free kicks served as further warning that this game was not over. The Right to Dream defence had enjoyed a lot of possession along their backline with only the United Through Sport forwards, Ernest and Shaban, tasked with closing down. Their toil paid dividends when an interception followed by a lightning paced give and go passing move put striker Ernest Gyan one on one with the RtD goalkeeper. His cool finish sent the team, and large spectacting contingent, into raptures. Despite heavy late pressure and an injury to the United Through Sport goalkeeper, the United Through Sport Academy team held on to give them a huge and well deserved, morale boosting victory.

The U15 game was also a tense affair. Both teams struggled to carve out any notable chances and both goalkeepers were alert to the long range efforts that each defence restricted each other to. The most notable moment came late in the second half when a well worked move involving winger Richard Owusu and Ibrahim Sulley (appearing in both games) led to a penalty award for United Through Sport. Captain and Man of the Match, Daniel Mensah sent the keeper the wrong way but unfortunately sent his spot kick just wide of the post. Retribution came for the United Through Sport Captain as his excellent reading of the game allowed him to make an excellent goal line clearance and preserve the goalless scoreline, which was how the game finished.

The effort of both United Through Sport teams were fantastic on the day and made a big impression on the visiting side and their entourage. Results such as this one serve to remind the players that hard work can lead to attainable success and that nothing is impossible. In recent Summer tournaments the Right to Dream youth teams have gained creditable results against such worthy academies as; AC Milan, Boca Juniors and Manchester United. With many of the Right to Dream players expected to one day make the professional grade, these results can inspire our players to continue working hard towards this ultimate goal, shared by all at United Through Sport Ghana.

Our Football Boys Receive Motivational Talk from Ghanaian Pro

Tuesday’s training session featured a very special visitor. Good friend of United Through Sport Ghana and Swedish Premier League star, Thomas Boakye, came down to Presby Park to speak and offer inspiration to our boys. Thomas’ team, Östersunds FK gained promotion to the Swedish Premier League (known as the ‘Allsvenskan’) as Champions this season thanks to a dramatic winner from the 19 year old Ghanaian wing back.

Kumasi born Boakye is back in Ghana due to the the Swedish end of season hiatus. With temperatures in the north of Sweden around 45°C colder than the December weather in Ghana, Boakye admits he is happy to be back after a very successful first season as a professional:

“It’s great to be back, but I am not going to pretend I don’t miss playing already!”

The message Boakye conveyed to our teams centred on the importance of hard work, both at training and in school. Thomas left his family in the Ashanti region aged just 10 to move to the prestigious Right To Dream football academy based in Akosombo, at the bottom of Lake Volta in the East of Ghana. Boakye’s dedication on the training field and in the classroom earned him a scholarship at the prestigious Hartbury Sports College in Gloucester, Western England.

During his time in England, Boakye represented England at Under 18 and 19 levels whilst playing for Non-League Forest Green Rovers and attaining a first class education that would prepare him for success in case his career in football did not materialise.

The importance of education and attitude was something Boakye was keen to emphasise to our boys. The Ghana Under 20 star urged our teams to capitalise on the extra lessons offered by United Through Sport volunteers at the School of Excellence every day before giving their all at their evening training sessions to improve their skills and fitness.

Boakye answered questions from our players on subjects ranging from his football heroes, life as a professional footballer and his remaining career aspirations.

Whilst the 2013 African Cup of Nations due to be held in South Africa next month may have come a little too soon for a senior call up to the full Ghana squad, Boakye has set his sights on impressing in his second International Under 20 tournament when Algeria hosts the African U20 Championship in March.

Thomas and other young Ghanaian footballers only have to look at the example set by fellow Right To Dream graduate, Abdul Waris. The young striker top scored in the Swedish Premier League last season and earned himself a lucrative move to Spartak Moscow. Spartak featured in this years’ UEFA Champions League playing against 3 past winners of the tournament in Celtic, Barcelona and Benfica. Domestically, Waris has not escaped attention as he looks set to be named in the Black Stars AFCON squad after starting the most recent friendly win over the Cape Verde Islands.

Here at United Through Sport Ghana we would like to thank Thomas Boakye for taking the time to offer our players advice and inspiration. He insisted the players should always show maximum respect for the coaches who spend vast periods of their free time to train our teams without asking for anything in return. We hope that both Boakye and United Through Sport can build on successful first seasons.