Grengen Academy back home from Euro tour

Accra- based youth side Greengen Academy returned home last Sunday after a successful campaign in three youth tournaments across Europe.

The team travelled to Sweden, Denmark and Norway where they played a total of 22 games, featuring in the prestigious Gothia Cup, Dana Cup and Norway Cup respectively.

Even though the team travelled with three sides, the under-13, U-16 and U-18s, it was the under-18’s that shone on the trip.

They reached the final of the Gothia Cup but lost by a lone goal to compatriots Kumasi-based Kharis FC.

 They reached the 1/8 stage of the Dana Cup but picked themselves up quickly to claim bronze in the Norway Cup where they triumphed over a Norwegian side in the third place game.

Speaking on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to the Times Sports, Head Coach of Greengen, Adolf Adu Asare, said the performance of the lads at the competitions exceeded his expectations -an indication of the quality of youth players in Ghana that must be nurtured to develop their true potential.

He indicated that technically and tactically they have gained a lot of knowledge on the trip, adding that, “It will be introduced to our system here to develop juvenile football.”

He called for immediate support and investment in grassroots football, urging that a proper youth structure will ensure the development of the budding talents that abound and enable them to compete at par with other youth nationals anywhere in the world.

Captain of the U-19 side, Sefa Boakye on his part, expressed joy for the opportunity to compete in the highly-rated youth competitions.

As young professionals, Sefa said that the tournaments would have a great influence on their professional growth as young footballers.

BY NANA BENTSI ODURO