West African Football Academy

WAFA
Full name West African Football Academy Sporting Club
Founded 1998
Ground Sogakope Stadium
Gomoa East District, Ghana
Ground Capacity 1,000
Chairman Netherlands Karel Brokken
Manager Kamal Aleste
Coach Denmark Klavs Rasmussen
League Ghana Premier League
2015 12th
Website Club website

West African Football Academy Sporting Club 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 went on trial with Feyenoord, but was not offered a contract.

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.[6] 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.[6] In August 2014 Feyenoord was rebranded in West African Football Academy.[7]

Satellite clubs

The following clubs are affiliated with Feyenoord Gomoa Fetteh:

Squad

As of 1 July 2016.[9]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
Ghana GK Theophilus Jackson
Ghana GK Razak Abalora
Ghana DF Kennedy Boateng (footballer, born 1996)
Ghana DF Richmond Lamptey
Ghana DF Caleb Amankwah
Ghana DF Mohammed Alhassan (footballer, born 1992)
Ghana DF Emmanuel Boateng (footballer, born 1997)
Ghana DF Gideon Mensah
Ghana DF Ibrahim Abubakar
Ghana DF Umar Sheik Ouedraogou
Ghana DF Abdul Karim Salisu
No. Position Player
Ghana MF Gideon Waja
Ghana MF Baggnan Abdoul Aziz
Ghana MF Prince Obeng Ampem
Ghana MF Langui-Koffi Leenon Becanty
Ghana MF Ibrahim Fofana
Ghana MF Lawrence Ofori
Ghana FW Zakaria Mumuni
Ghana FW Charles Boateng (footballer, born 1997)
Ghana FW Gideon Akunnor
Ghana FW Ossoukou Xavier
Ghana FW Oukpedjo Mouhtari
Head coach
Technical director

References

  1. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "Feyenoord Worldwide". Feyenoord.nl.
  7. ↑ Fetteh Feyenoord Academy changes name to WAFA SC
  8. ↑ Stage de préparation au Ghana: Une aventure positive
  9. ↑ "TEAMS - West African Football Academy". West African Football Academy. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
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