Soccer News of 2012-10-03

Ayieyam's mother excited with daughter’s exploits

Ayieyam's mother excited with daughter’s exploits Akotilie Ayieyam, mother of Jane Ayieyam, heroine of the national under -17 female soccer team, has expressed excitement about the exploits of her daughter in the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals in Azerbaijan. Madam Akotilie told URA Radio Sports in Bolgatanga that she was elated and the entire family were buried in joy after watching her daughter play on television and most importantly scoring both goals for Ghana in their decisive final group match against China that enabled the Black Maidens to make history by becoming the first Ghanaian female side to go beyond the group stages of any FIFA world championship. “I’m very happy and excited because of the performances of my daughter. I have watched all the Maidens’ matches and anytime my daughter scores a goal I jump up and scream, ‘goal’ for a very long time,” she said even as she demonstrated it. She continued: “In fact, Jane has made our family very proud and we are solidly behind her in prayers, we have been praying for her and we will continue to pray for her and the entire team so that they will beat Japan and go as far as winning the trophy for mother Ghana.” The mother of the 15 year old Maidens’ striker however revealed that she initially tried all odd means just to stop the now national hero from becoming a footballer because of traditional beliefs. All those attempts failed, and today Mrs. Ayieyam discloses how proud she is to have the player as a daughter. “I used to chase her all over town whenever I see her playing football because our tradition doesn’t allow women to play football,” the mother of eight explained. She continued: “But along the line, one Abu who was her teacher at the primary school level pleaded with me to allow her to continue with her football career. He had a firm belief that Ayieyam had all it took to become a star someday, so I had to let her continue her football. Thank God I did not ruin her future.” Jane Ayieyam hails from Sandema in Builsa District of the Upper East Region and she is the sixth born with 7 siblings, four of which are females. She started her football career with Bolgatanga Ghatel Ladies before moving to Ashtown Ladies in Kumasi in 2010. With her sterling exploits’ for the national under 17 female soccer team, the Black Maidens, she is now a household name in Ghana and her name is on the lips of many soccer enthusiasts. The 15- year old has been in sensational form at the on-going FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan, scoring relevant goals in all of Ghana’s group matches. She is joint third leading scorer of the championship on 4 goals and has the chance to increase her tally when Ghana plays Japan on Friday in the quarter finals.Credit: Abagna Jose Nelson, URA Radio Sports, Bolgatanga