*SIXTY-FOUR* of the finest African under-15 footballers are travelling to Holland next week for the Premier Cup 2010 Africa Qualifications at NIKE’s European Headquarters in Hilversum. Teams from Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana and Tunisia will take part in the Opening Ceremony & Draw on Monday 17 May at 1900hrs, before tournament matches kick off on 18 May.
The Final takes place at midday on Wednesday 19 May, when the top two teams will walk out at NIKE’s Hilversum Campus to battle for the title of Premier Cup Africa Champions and win a highly coveted place at the 2010 Manchester United Premier Cup (MUPC) World Finals in August.
Cameroon & Ajax Midfielder Enoh Eyong: "Africa is producing many talented young footballers across the continent and this tournament is a great forum for them to meet, compete - and learn from each other. I am particularly pleased to see teams from Cameroon participate for the first time so they too can benefit from international experience at a young age.
"I wish you all luck in Holland, enjoy yourselves, work hard and play with passion for your team, your country, and for Africa. Listen to your coach and learn everything you can. May the best team win and go all the way at the MUPC World Finals in Manchester!"
Cameroon’s Daga Young Stars FC secured their place in the Africa Qualifiers in emphatic style with a 4:1 win over Ased FC. The boys from Cameroon were so thrilled to book their place in Holland that they stayed on the pitch singing for an hour and Coach Ndigui Louis Cedard promises they will continue to “sing their way to qualification for Manchester!” He has no doubts about the competence of his young side but admitted: “cold weather could be a little problem but I’m sure the boys will adapt. I hope they will come back home having learned something - and having won a place in Manchester of course.”
Tunisia is also represented for the first time this year - by Esperance of Tunis, whilst Egypt’s ENPPI return to Holland for the third year in succession after beating Heliopolis 1:0. Spokesman Mohamed Ahmed Ismail is determined that his team: “learn and develop their skills on and off the field. They have a very strong team spirit, and always challenge themselves and the opposition. We want to win and don’t expect any problems – but will be watching the team from Ghana, who are fast and extremely fit for their age.”**
Although hopeful that his young squad can once again go all the way to Manchester, Right to Dream’s Coach Johnny McKinstry is taking nothing for granted. “We are prepared for talented opponents, and know we will have to be at the top of our game to be successful. Some of the younger members of the team have shown great character and determination to rise through the ranks - I hope this continues and they can step up to perform in what will be their biggest football challenge to date.”
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He concluded with a common concern: “For many of our boys, this will be their first time travelling outside Ghana, so their own nerves could prove to be their biggest weakness. We are working hard to take the pressure off them, so they can relax, enjoy the experience and go out and show what talented footballers they are.”
Over 9,000 teams have fought their way through local, national and regional tournaments over the past twelve months to win 1 of just 20 places at the MUPC World Finals in Manchester. They will then have the opportunity to measure their skills, their passion and their determination against the very best of their peers; in an effort to prove that they are the top under-15 team in the world.
On May 19th, a new team will be celebrating and dreaming of becoming the first ever African MUPC World Champions. The Road to Manchester continues…
*BACKGROUND INFORMATION*
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*Previous Premier Cup Africa Champions*
2008 Ghana, Right To Dream Academy
Final match (0:0) Right to Dream 1:0 (aet) ENPPI
MUPC World Championship final ranking: 5/20
2009 Ghana, Right to Dream Academy
Final Match (1:1) Right to Dream 2:1 (aet) ENPPI
MUPC World Championship final ranking 3/20
*MUPC WORLD FINALS*
From youth clubs to some of the most renowned names in football; over the last 17 years Premier Cup has offered more than a million young footballers a truly unique experience to live the dream of world-class competition. Fernando Torres, Theo Walcott, Lionel Messi, Robinho, Iker Casillas, Cesc Fabregas and Carlos Tevez are just a few of the tournament’s famous “old boys” who have since made it to the top. With a wealth of emerging talent in Africa, it’s certain that players from across the continent will soon be joining that illustrious list.
The Premier Cup Champions of Africa will join host team Manchester United in August, alongside already qualified; Orlando Pirates; Internaçional, Colo-Colo; Shillong Lajong; Kyoto Sanga; Hyundai Junior High School; Werder Bremen, FC Torino; Newcastle United; Bucaspor – and the first ever Premier Cup Champions, FC Porto. Tournaments continue over the coming months to find the top 20 under-15 teams in the world!
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