Telling his story about how he started his football career tells his determination to get to the top has not been dented since the day he picked up a football boot.
In an exclusive interview with Enoch Danso, he shared with yours truly about his time at Champions FC in Tafo, Kumasi.
“I started my footballing with the former Ajax Academy who used to organize events to scout players and send them to Netherlands to join the Ajax Academy there. I was strong and skillful from playing school games and I had always begged my grandfather called Almighty to help me join a football club.
One day after school he asked if I still wanted to play and it was the happiest statement I was hearing from him in a long time. We used to play around Asanteman and those of us who excelled were sent to Ofori Stadium in Obuasi to play against a team there where the final selection was made.
I was selected on three occasion but could not travel with the team because our coach then made us understand us needed to raise some money for document etc. My brother who had promised help had travelled so I was left out.
The disappointment did not stop me from continuing to play. During our school games at Ntonso in the Ashanti Region, the coach of Champions Fc asked me whether I was playing for any team and he was amazed when I answered no.
I was then a midfielder with the eye for goals. I was skillful and strong as he always kept saying, “you are better fit for a striker than a midfielder”
Champions FC was the first team I played and it was awesome. You know it is very difficult to break into a team when you first join but my time was easy. They did not have a striker so Coach Sulley threw a jersey to me and said you are the striker, before I got onto the field, he shouted across to a player ‘Iniesta lets see if he will fit into the no. 9 position’. I was amazed because I had much information about the Spanish Iniesta and what he was capable of.
I was almost a stranger in the game when I heard the coach shouting, “you are not a passenger, call Iniesta he will sort you out”, so I called him and he gave me a sweet pass, how I handled the pass and converted it at the back of the net was a miracle. Everyone started calling me striker from then and I was happy with that feeling.
I had adopted into the team it was amazing, Albert Nicky (Iniesta), Ember (Obosom), Isaac Wiafe, and our goalkeeper Kwajdo Okyere (Kyeredom) ensured I felt at home and I still hold them in high esteem.
I was now scoring goals for fun and showboating on the field of play was just flowing naturally. The pace, power and stamina has always been noted of me when playing.
Coach Sulley will always say, “you would have wasted your talent as a striker and be playing in a position that isn’t your. Now you are a complete player if you keep your composure and discipline.”
Enoch Danso has maintain same momentum and discipline throughout the period and keep soaring for higher heights.
Frederick Marfo is a sportswriter and social worker well known for his advocacy for equal chances and rights for all athletes, especially those with disabilities.
