West African Football Academy

For the Dutch youth academy based in Rotterdam, see Feyenoord Academy (Varkenoord).
West African Football Academy
Full name West African Football Academy Sporting Club
Founded 1998
Ground
Goma Fetteh, Ghana
Chairman Netherlands Karel Brokken
Manager Sam Arday
Coach Netherlands John Kila
League Central Regional Division 2 League
2012 4th

West African Football Academy is a Ghanaian football club and the biggest football academy in Ghana based in Goma Fetteh, and was founded by Feyenoord from Rotterdam. They are playing in the Ghana Premier League formerly of the First Division.

History

Relationship with Feyenoord (Rotterdam)

Feyenoord's chairman Jorien van den Herik was given permission for the opening of Feyenoord's own football academy in the Ghanaian settlement of Fetteh, just outside the capital Accra.[1] The go-ahead was given by the Chief of Fetteh in 1998. At the academy, young talented African footballers can work on their football skills. In addition to helping their football potential the students are provided with formal education which is funded by Feyenoord.[1] Former Feyenoord player Mohammed Abubakari is the first player that graduated from the academy and achieved a professional contract at Feyenoord.[2][3] Prior to Abubakari's move, Jordan Opoku spent some time at Excelsior and Royal Antwerp FC before returning to Ghana.[4][5]

In the buildup to the 2008-09 season, right-back Harrison Afful is on trial with Feyenoord.

The idea for Feyenoord’s own football academy was born in Abidjan. Jorien van den Herik was there to sign the then still unknown Bonaventure Kalou and got into contact with the education institute at Kalou’s club.[1] That same year the head of the youth education flew to Africa to take stock in the project and returned with a praising report. In January 1998 the ball got rolling: Feyenoord would start its own Football School in Africa.[1] In August 2014 Feyenoord was rebranded in West African Football Academy.[6]

Satellite clubs

The following clubs are affiliated with Feyenoord Gomoa Fetteh:

Squad

as of 11 June 2014[8] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Ghana GK Theophilus Jackson
2 Ivory Coast DF Lassana Bi Coulibaly
3 Ghana DF Bernard Mensah
4 Ghana MF Felix Annan
5 Ghana DF Kakra Boakye-Mensah
6 Ghana DF Ibrahim Adamu
7 Ghana DF Isaac Addai
8 Ghana MF Joe Amoah (Captain[9])
9 Ghana FW Emmanuel Oti Essigba
10 Burkina Faso MF Abdoul Basit Zongo
11 Ghana MF Abubakar Sulemana
12 Ghana DF Kweku Seth Osei
13 Burkina Faso GK Abdouraziz Guire
14 Ghana MF Panin Boakye-Mensah
15 Ghana FW Alhassan Manan
No. Position Player
16 Ghana MF Richmond Lamptey
17 Burkina Faso DF Abdoul Nikiema
18 Ghana FW Ali Mohamed
19 Burkina Faso FW Louck Ouedtraogo
20 Ghana DF Zakaria Seidu
21 Ghana MF Basit Masawudu
22 Ghana GK George Owusu
23 Ghana FW Charles Boateng
24 Ghana DF Gideon Waja
25 Ghana MF Mumuni Zakaria
26 Ghana DF Martin Atnwi
27 Ghana FW Iddrisu Kato[10]
28 Niger MF Mohammed Wonkoye
29 Ghana FW Samuel Tetteh
Head coach
Technical director

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Feyenoord Worldwide". Feyenoord.com.
  2. ↑ "Player Profile Mohammed Abubakari". Ghanaweb.com.
  3. ↑ "Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Abubakari has joined the Dutch club Feyenoord Rotterdam". BBC Sport. News.bbc.co.uk. 17 February 2006.
  4. ↑ "Jordan Opoku (Excelsior)". Vi.nl.
  5. ↑ "Antwerp FC 04-05". Eufo.de.
  6. ↑ Fetteh Feyenoord Academy changes name to WAFA SC
  7. ↑ Stage de préparation au Ghana: Une aventure positive
  8. ↑ Internationaal A-juniorentoernooi. "F.A. Fetteh maakt selectie bekend". Copadelagatha.nl. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  9. ↑ Inter Allies outwit Feyenoord in exciting semi final
  10. ↑ Ghana U20 coach invites third batch of 30 players for screening

External links