Papa Agyemang: Ghana be a star

He was meant to be impressing scouts of Premiership Fulham with his silky skills. But one Edgware footballer did better than that by dazzling coaches from his own national team.

Papa Agyemang, 18, of Bredon Court, Stonegrove estate, shone so much in the trial match organised by Fulham scout Darren Watson, that scouts from Ghana set the wheels in motion for him to fly out for a training camp before the African Youth Cup.

"It was just a trial game," said Papa. "I had no idea there was a scout there from Ghana and when he found out I was from Ghana he arranged for me to fly out there.

"In the training camp we played a few friendlies against some of the top teams in Ghana and then one against the Mali national team."

In fact Papa was rubbing shoulders in the Ghana team with some established first team players who ply their trade in Europe.

"I played with Derek Boateng who plays for Panathanaikos in Greece and Razak Ibrahim who plays for Hansa Rostock in Germany. It was a really good experience and as a result I have got a lot of clubs who are now interested in me," added Papa, who used to play for Wingate & Finchley but now represents Wealdstone in the Ryman League First Division.

The young striker, who has been described as a real poacher' by the coach who first spotted him, Darren Watson, would have featured in the youth equivalent of the African Nations Cup but for unusual circumstances.

"It was too hot for me to play out in Burkino Faso. The coach said I would need more time to acclimatise, but I'm hopeful of playing in the upcoming friendly in Spain against their Under-20 side."