‘Catch Them Young’ refs excel in WAFU B schools championship
Products of the ‘Catch Them Young Referees’ project, Angelious Akurugu Adongo and Nafizah Jenenuba Dauchebile, impressed in the WAFU B African Schools Football Championship after being handed roles in the boys final.
Angelious Akurugu Adongo was handed the role as Centre Referee for the final match involving Cote d’voire and Benin while Nafizah Jenenuba Dauchebile served as the Fourth Official.
The two young officials distinguished themselves during the group stage and the semi-finals and ultimately handed the responsibility to officiate the final at the Fenifoot Technical Centre on Saturday.
Angelious Akurugu Adongo hails from the Upper East while Nafizah Jenenuba Dauchebile comes from the Upper West Region.
The ‘Catch Them Young’ policy was launched in 2020 by President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, with the aim of identifying and training young boys and girls who demonstrate a passion for refereeing.
The policy has seen a lot of progress with a number of first and second batch officials, excellently handling matches in the Women Premier League, Division One League and both the men and women FA Cup matches. They are also heavily involved in officiating all matches at the regional level.
The GFA believes development and recognition of these young referees who were essential steps in ensuring the continued growth and excellence of refereeing in Ghana.
Meanwhile, Ghanaian duo, Cyril Acquah Hagan and Christiana Ashiaku, finished the WAFU B African Schools Football Championship as top scorers in the boys and girls divisions respectively.
Cyril Acquah Hagan bagged three goals in four matches while Christian Ashiaku scored four goals in four matches to emerge top scorers after the Championship, concluded in Niamey, Niger, on Saturday.
In the girls U15 division, the battle for the title was just as intense with Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Niger, and Burkina Faso vying for the top spot.
However, it was Ghana who ultimately claimed the championship, showcasing their strength and talent on the field.
In the boys division, Ghana claimed third place after beating Burkina Faso 1-0 to grab bronze.
A total of six WAFU B nations participated in both the boys and girls divisions of the tournament, where Ghana have been crowned champions of the zone in the girls division and secured a place at the CAF African Schools Football Championship Finals set to take place in 2025. -–Ghanafa. org
