Daniel Lomotey: Young Apostles captain poised for Ghana Premier League goal king accolade

Ghana Premier League debutant skipper and Star-Boy Daniel Lomotey said he is poised to ignite the passion of the club and is dedicated to propelling the Young Apostles Football Club to at least a top-four finish in the current ongoing Ghana Premier League and to avoid the relegation syndrome always taunted to the newly promoted sides.

He said the team is highly motivated by the success achieved by the previous new entrants, Nsoatreman FC and FC Sarmatex, as they manoeuvre up to play in the CAF championships. Lomotey, in an exclusive interview a few days after his only goal against Dreams FC in the 68th minute, helped move the team to the thirteenth position on the GFA league standings. This was also his third consecutive match as captain without his side losing any game as the new skipper of the Wenchi-Techiman-based Young Lads.

In his debut season at West Africa Football Academy (WAFA), Lomotey scored a total of five goals, shared between the two giants in Ghana Premier League history—Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak; three against Hearts of Oak and just made his goal tally to three goals against Kumasi Asante Kotoko this season.

On record, Daniel Lomotey scored Ghana U-20's only two goals during the Africa U-20 Championship held in Niger. He was also part of Medeama Sporting Football Club during their friendlies in the USA. Lomotey made historic records for Medeama Sporting Club; the young goal poacher earned Medeama SC their first-ever goal in their CAF Champions League history.

Also on record, Lomotey scored the 400th goal in Ghanaian Premier League football history. His two goals and assist both secured the Algerian side El Setif a CAF Championship slot. Lomotey also played for all the Ghana national teams, which makes him one of the best strikers in Ghana.

In an exclusive interview about his future at Young Apostles, he said, "Yeah, true I joined Medeama last season from ES Setif on a free transfer. I think I enjoyed my stay at Medeama, especially featuring in their maiden CAF Champions League and playing with big opposition teams in Africa makes me proud. I thank both the Medeama management, the playing body, supporters, and the entire technical team for their immense contributions to my football career during my short spell with the team last season."

Lomotey, noted for his speed and goal-scoring prowess, said he is poised to help the Wenchi-based club, Young Apostles, to at least a top-four finish.

He also emphatically stated that he is highly motivated to help the Young Lads avoid relegation, as always predicted by sports pundits and enthusiasts for newly promoted teams in the Ghana Premier League.

About his new role as the new substantive captain for the club, he said, "I think I have good luck as everyone in the team has, and I am happy for all the three league matches we played as the captain we never lost any of those matches. We played as a team and that's our secret. We have a solid management and technical team and the ever-die-hard Wenchi and all other supporters as well."

"I thank all the supporters for their support which makes me never regret joining the team. So far I scored two vital goals for the club, and my ultimate target is to be crowned the top scorer at the end of the season."

"As the captain of the team, I know I have a huge responsibility and I promise to do my best to help the team avoid relegation and at least get a top-four spot and also to stay in the league. We have a very young team and I know for sure that the team will remain in the Ghana top league."

"On a sad note, I dedicated my two goals, including my 68th-minute goal against Dreams FC, to my late Grandmother Victoria Aku Azumah," he said emotionally.

So far, the young speedster and goal poacher scored two goals in the ongoing Ghana Premier League, the first being against Kumasi Asante Kotoko and the 68th-minute goal against Dreams FC last Sunday at the Wenchi Town Park.

He finally called on all the supporters of the club to rally behind the team even at difficult times as the team is dedicated to bringing laurels to Wenchi and beyond.

He thanked the management, especially CEO Samuel Anim Addo, the playing body, and the entire technical team led by Coach Joseph Asare, and hopes together they would propel the team to achieve all targets for the season.