Assifuah, the Golden Boy
Barely two years after his potential was discovered by the late Alhaji Sly Tetteh in Sekondi, youngster Ebenezer Assifuah, has risen to the status of international recognition as winner of this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot Award.
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At the just-ended Turkey 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Istanbul last Saturday, Assifuah followed compatriot Dominic Adiyiah, and others such as Lionnel Messi, Javier Saviola and Sergio Aguerro into the distinguished bracket of Golden Boots recipients at the FIFA U-20.
The 20-year-old striker of Liberty Professionals ended a memorable tournament with six goals at the end of the tournament, scoring his last goal against Iraq in the third-place match at the Ali Samir Yen Arena in Istanbul.
The goal was crucial to his feat since it enabled him fend off challenge from Portugal’s Bruma and Spain’s Jese who, together with Assifuah, were tied at five-goal apiece before the final day.
Assifuah, who could not hide his joy over the achievement , thanked God for His mercy. He also expressed gratitude to his teammates for their support.
The youngster, who may well be on his way to Italian side, Udinese, told the Graphic Sports in Istanbul: “I could not imagine myself being at this stage of my career at this moment”.
“When I was coming to the tournament, I imagined myself following in the footsteps of Adiyiah, (the only Ghanaian to have won the Golden Boot), but most importantly to win the World Cup. Unfortunately we failed to win the Cup, but I feel astounded that the Golden Boot dream has come to pass.
‘’ I’m grateful to have won the boot for Ghana and, at least, have something to show to Ghanaians whose support and prayers enabled us to come this far after our initial setback in the competition,’’ Assifuah intoned.
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The young goal merchant began his career with Proud United at Sekondi and his scoring potential manifested at a very early stage when he scored 10 goals for Sekondi Eleven Wise, before moving to Liberty Professionals where he and Kennedy Ashia have become the scoring partners for the Premiership side.
The Satellites striker dismissed assertions among some fans that he was a selfish player, saying that apart from playing collectively, the team also relied on every individual effort to win their matches.
‘’I’m not a selfish player, my interest is to work as a team player and that is what I did at the tournament’’, Assifuah politely explained.
By Andy Quao