Ghana is known as the Brazilians of African football. Just like football powerhouse, Ghana is a nation blessed with enormous football talents- some are able to play to the upper echelon as far as football is concerned; others also fall off along the way unable to realise their dream of etching their names in football folklore.
Ghana has been a happy hunting ground for scouts world over. The likes of Abedi Ayew, Tony Yeboah, Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah, Asamoah Gyan just to mention but a few were discovered while playing on grassless pitches in the country but were able to make indelible imprints and will forever be remembered for their exploits.
The Ghanaian football community continues to provide a steady source of talent for relatively reasonable fees; it’s simply a question of choosing the right player. As the motherlode of talents, hardly a year passes by without a new star emerging from the West African nation.
Among the new wave of talents emerging from the country is Foster Apetorgbor. He has quickly established himself as one of Ghana’s hottest prospects, courtesy of some encouraging laced performances for Nsoatreman SC, a club featuring in Ghana’s elite division.
Apetorgbor was born in Yeji, a town in the centre of Ghana and the capital of the Pru East District of the Bono East Region in Ghana. Yeji is adjacent to Lake Volta. The town’s inhabitants are responsible for keeping several jobs to simply make ends meet, and because of Yeji’s coastal location, It is common for many to work as fishermen and farmers despite the limited income at times.
It is a sharp contrast to a typical day in Ghana’s finest locations, requiring sheer determination to break from the shackles of a disadvantaged lifestyle. This is the starting point for one of Ghana’s emerging footballing talents tipped to etch his name in country’s football folklore.
Born to Mr and Mrs Apetorgbor some 16 years ago and coming from a poor background, Apetorgbor was forced to handle multiple jobs throughout his early life, including helping his parents with their farm work and selling the farm produce in the Yeji township on market days.
The teenage sensation was raised in a devout religious home, and it is certain that his faith would have been relied on to carry through his testing childhood. But no matter what profession Apertorgbor found himself in, he held only one true passion: football.
His talent was visible in his formative years. Little Apetorgbor and his friends would gather on the grassless pitches to emulate the skills of the established footballers they watched on television. From rabona, backheels, elastico panenka, nutmegs to scooped passes. He always managed to replicate them either on the field or by playing keepy-uppy to and from school.
Apetorgbor and his friends just enjoyed playing the game and were content with tips or being carried on shoulders as a reward for standout performance. That was about all the game had for them. It was during one of these days that his immense talent was spotted by a football enthusiast who facilitated his move to Olympiakos, an amateur club in Achimota, Ghana's capital.
In one of Olympiakos’ games, a scout from Nsoatreman FC, a club in Ghana’s elite division, was scouting the area and noticed Apetorgbor showcasing the best of his abilities. Impressed by what he was viewing, he signed him up for the club, citing the youngster’s immense perseverance and desire to keep the ball on the scorching surface.
The signing would now mean that Apertorgbor would have the opening to show his skills on an actual football field with a moderately improved conditions and, more importantly, a chance to break into professional football.
At 16, Apetorgbor is a final-year student at Kumasi High School, simultaneously playing in Ghana’s elite division, fulfilling his parents’ wish of combining his career as a footballer with education. In the ongoing campaign, Apetorgbor has made nine appearances across all competitions and has registered two assists- against Kotoko and Real Tamale United and has one man-of the-match accolade.
He loves to play as a winger and occasionally as an attacking midfielder where he prods, pokes and pinge passes over and through opposition lines with vision and also dribbles excellently. The skilful but slight Apertorgbor has proven a point with his stand-out performances for his club. The sinewy winger is electric.
He zips around the pitch, giving defenders no respite, as he bites into tackles and fearlessly runs at them, trying to work an angle for a shot or a cross. It is his ability to turn sharply out of trouble, burst into space and link with team-mates that make him such a potent weapon.
Apertorgbor can hold his own alongside the toughest of defenders, but rather than his physique, his guile and intelligent positioning enable him to outwit defenders. His uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time means he regularly finds scoring opportunities.
He operates mainly from the right wing but cuts inside onto his favoured left foot, and his obvious self-belief gives him an edge on the pitch. Equally comfortable going for goal with either foot or with his head, and never afraid to miss, it is no surprise to see him become a mainstay at his club.
With skilful feet and a sharp football brain, he has excellent link-up play and can spot a pass. A willing grafter, he’s also not averse to working the flanks and has decent crossing ability. He loves to contribute to the build-up around the penalty area rather than wait for the ball.
Apertorgbor has already drawn comparisons with Manchester City and England forward, Phil Foden. There is indeed a spark of Foden in the way he moves the ball and what he can do with the ball.
Though highly talented, he is still a raw product that needs polishing in many aspects, but if he sticks with his current work ethic, there is no doubt that he can become a top-class player who will dazzle fans for many years to come.
Though highly talented, he is still a raw product that needs polishing in many aspects, but if he sticks with his current work ethic, there is no doubt that Foster Apertorgbor can become a top-class player who will dazzle fans for many years to come.
©Kickgh.com
