Ghanaian Youth For Chelsea

Talent has never been a problem for Ghana…. it’s the management of the talent that seems to be killing Football in the once most powerful soccer nation on the continent.

These days, 70 year olds who have political favour seem to be running the show at a very grave cost to the development of the game.

Ironically, the current NPP government is full of football experts…so called. Right from the president who was a former administrative hero at Asante Kotoko, to other senior ministers.

But unlike Rwanda's Paul Kagami who has adopted the BEES of Rwanda into a symbol of hope for millions of Rwandans, (and recently Ghana’s decline is the subject of great ridicule.

The only hope for great international success now appears to be for young footballers to change nationality (Gerald Asamoah for Germany, Marcel Desailly for France, George Boateng for Holland and most recently Freddy Adu for USA)

The latest could well be a 17-year-old Ghanaian footballer who has just concluded a 2-week trial at Chelsea FC here in England.

Apparently he is "very, very" good and could be signed on when the European transfer window re-opens in January.

He is being hailed in the same breath as Freddy Adu. (USA)

His name is Isaac Amponsah and I was allowed to interview him briefly at the Club's hotel in London last week. (under very close scrutiny from officials)

If pictures could speak you should see a couple of photos of him and Marcel Desailly, Geremi Njitap as well as Henan Crespo.

The FIFA agent who brought him to Chelsea is called Phil Munelly and he is convinced this chap will be a big star.

But guess what? Nobody even knows about him in his native Ghana because unless you play for Hearts Kotoko or your manager has strong connections.

The African contingent at English premiership side Chelsea could increase following trials handed out to a 17-year-old unknown Ghanaian striker Isaac Kweku Amponsah.

Chelsea is already well represented by Africans at the Bridge…. captain Marcel Desailly, Celestine Babayaro, Geremi Njitap are the most prominent.

The Club is only on the heels of Freddy Adu who at age 14 is valued at over 3 million dollars. He is from the same part of the world as Amponsah

Amponsah quit school a year ago after been top scorer in college football competitions since he was 15 to follow his football dreams.

He joined his local team before leaving Kumasi to the capital Accra where he was signed by a division 2 side called International Allies.

He was then spotted by an Argentinean on holiday in Ghana. He was in Argentina for only 3 months before his big Chelsea chance.

He reportedly impressed the coaching staff at Stamford bridge with his speed and ball control.

But like most naturally gifted African footballers, Amponsah's discovery was accidental as he was spotted playing football by an Argentinean on holiday in Ghana. He was quickly snapped up by ATHLETICO BANFIELD a first division club in Argentina. And after just 3 months there he landed trials with Chelsea. So from the grassless pitches of Kumasi to the fabulous football theatre at Stamford Bridge, I asked Amponsah how he feels about the sudden transition.

"I am still very young so I am not going to rush'' …….''I will wait for my time to come very soon and I pray everything works out fine''

I will continue serious training until so that I get the best contract.

''Chelsea was fantastic and they treated me so well I did not want to leave''

''They are interested in me but I have to go back to my club in Argentina and also try to get into the Black Stars team ''

''By God's grace, I will make it to a great club like Chelsea''