Category: Sports

Sports is entrenched in the Nigerian system and is a major part of our daily lives. Via the numerous age grade competitions and inter-school sports tournaments in the country, talent is usually identified early enough.

Over the years a number of sports men and women have risen to the top of their game, honing their skills and competing in various international events.

These superstars have gained global recognition for their craft while also winning major laurels along the way.

Below is a list of 10 of the greatest sports heroes to come out of Nigeria

Chioma Ajunwa is a former athlete and footballer, best known for being the first Nigerian to win an Olympic gold medal. She leapt a distance of 7.12 metres to win gold at the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta.

Ajunwa also won medals at the African Athletics championships, the All-Africa Games and the Commonwealth Games. As a footballer, she played for the Super Falcons at the 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

To this day she remains the only woman to feature at both the FIFA Women’s World Cup as a footballer and the Olympics as a track and field athlete.

One of the most decorated footballers to come out of the country, Asisat Oshoala has been the jewel of the Super Falcons for many years. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time and one of the best in the world.

Oshoala is a three-time winner of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, lifting the title in 2014, 2016 and 2018. She has also won numerous individual awards, including five African Women’s Footballer of the Year honours, BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year among others.

At club level, Oshoala currently plays for Barcelona where she has won three consecutive Primera Division titles from 2019 – 2022. She has also won the UEFA’s Women’s Champions League and was the Primera Division top scorer during the 2021/22 season.

Lucy Ejike is a Paralympian, who uses a wheelchair due to polio and focuses on the powerlifting event. She has represented Nigeria at six consecutive Paralympics events from 2000 in Sydney to 2021 in Tokyo, winning medals at each, including three gold, two silver and one bronze.

Ejike has also won consecutive powerlifting world titles from 2017 to 2021. She has set several powerlifting records and is the current world record holder in the -61kg category, lifting a total of 142kg in September 2016.

She currently works as a sports administrator in her native Enugu State.

Related: Who Are Some Of The Top Nigerian Athletes Of All Time?

Mercy Akide is a former footballer, generally considered to be one of the first real superstars of the Nigerian women’s game. She won several individual awards during her playing days, including the inaugural African Women’s Footballer of the year award in 2001.

Representing the Super Falcons of Nigeria, Akide won three consecutive Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in 1998, 2000 and 2002. She also played at three FIFA Women’s World Cups, two Olympic games and was a 1999 and 2004 FIFA World All-Star.

Since retiring, Akide has taken up management, serving as head coach for Stars U-16 C Gold Girls before joining the coaching staff of Virginia Rush Soccer Club.

Widely considered the greatest Nigerian striker of all time and one of the best African players of all time, Rashidi Yekini had a career that spanned nearly 20 years.

He is the all-time leading scorer for the Super Eagles with 37 goals and has the honour of netting Nigeria’s first ever World Cup goal when he scored the opener against Bulgaria at USA 1994.

In 1993, Yekini had unprecedented individual success, which culminated in him being named African Footballer of the Year, the first ever for Nigeria. The following year, he led the Super Eagles of Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title in Tunisia, winning the golden boot and being named the best player of the tournament.

Yekini passed on 2012 at the age of 48 after a lengthy period of illness

Perpetua Nkwocha is a former female professional footballer and one of the most decorated players in the women’s football scene. She participated in seven Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, winning five and played in four FIFA Women’s World Cup between 2003 and 2015, as well as three Olympic games.

Nkwocha was voted African Women’s Footballer of the Year four times and was top goalscorer at the AWCON three times. She is also the all-time leading scorer for the Super Falcons with 80 goals in 99 appearances.

She is the current coach of Swedish Women’s Football Division 2 side Clemensnas IF.

Nwankwo Kanu is an icon of Nigerian football having burst onto the scene at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1993. He is one of the most talented players the country has ever produced and captained the National U-23 team to Olympic gold in 1996.

Affectionately known as Papilo to his millions of fans in Nigeria, Kanu is a two-time winner of the African footballer of the year award. He also won the Eredivisie and UEFA Champions League with Ajax and lifted three Premier League titles with Arsenal.

Kanu is also known for his philanthropy, setting up the Kanu Heart Foundation after his own experience with a congenital heart defect. The foundation aims to tackle homelessness and treat children with undiagnosed heart disease.

Odunayo Adekuoroye is a freestyle wrestler, competing across several weight categories. She is considered one of Nigeria’s greatest wrestling exports and is the current African champion in the 59kg category.

Known for challenging herself by alternating several weight categories, Adekuoroye has won medals at 48kg, 53kg, 55kg, 57kg and 59kg. She is a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist and has also won silver and bronze medals at the World Wrestling Championship.

Tobi Amusan is one of Nigeria’s brightest lights in track & field in recent years, specializing in the 100 metres hurdles and competing as a sprinter. She became Nigeria’s first ever World champion and world record holder in 2022 when she won gold in the 100 metres hurdles at the World Championship in Eugene Oregon, running a time of 12.12 seconds in the semi-final.

Amusan is also a three-time Commonwealth champion and four-time African champion, alternating between the hurdles and the 4×100 metres relay. She also finished top of the Diamond League in 2021 and 2022.

The only medal missing from Amusan’s collection is the Olympic gold and at 25, She still has time to put that right.

Widely considered one of the greatest footballers to ever grace a football pitch in Nigeria, Jay Jay Okocha is well loved among fans in the country. Blessed with sublime skills during his playing days, Okocha endeared himself to Nigerians with his ability to leave opponents and fans in awe with some mesmerizing piece of footwork.

Okocha was part of Nigeria’s golden generation that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 and made their first appearance at the FIFA World Cup in the same year. In a career that spanned over a decade, he featured at three World Cups and five AFCONs, captaining the Super Eagles between 2002 and 2006.

Since retiring, Okocha has taken up several roles away from the pitch. He has been very visible in the betting space as he is the face of Betking, a leading betting operator that features very visible on the list of best betting apps on camparison site Betting Apps Nigeria.

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GAA Fixtures 2022 – We have the start times for Dublin, Cork, Galway etc in the Connacht, Leinster, Munster, and Ulster Gaelic Football & Hurling

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We have the list of live GAA matches that will be broadcast live Online, GAAGO Sky Sports & RTE, here are the fixtures

Saturday 10 December

Munster club SFC final
Kerins O’Rahilly’s (Kerry) v Newcastle West (Limerick), Pairc Ui Rinn, 7.30pm – TG4

All-Ireland Ladies SFC club final
Donaghmoyne (Monaghan) v Kilkerrin-Clonberne (Galway), Croke Park, 5pm – TG4

All-Ireland Ladies IFC club final
Longford Slashers (Longford) v Mullinahone (Tipperary), Croke Park, 3pm – TG4

Sunday 11 December

Ulster club SFC final
Glen (Derry) v Kilcoo (Down), Athletic Grounds, 1pm – TG4

All-Ireland Lades JFC club final
Naomh Abán (Cork) v Salthill-Knocknacarra (Galway), Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, 1pm

 

Saturday 17 December

All-Ireland club IHC semi-finals
Monaleen (Limerick) v Trim (Meath) or Bray Emmets (Wicklow), TBC, TBC
Tooreen (Mayo) v Liatroim (Down), TBC, TBC

All-Ireland club JHC semi-finals
Ballygiblin (Cork) v Commercials (Dublin) or Horeswood (Wexford), TBC, TBC
Easkey (Sligo) v Kilburn Gaels (Britain), TBC, TBC
Sunday 18 December

All-Ireland club SHC semi-finals
Ballygunner (Waterford) v Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny), Croke Park, 3.30pm – TG4
St Thomas’ (Galway) v Dunloy Cuchullains (Antrim), Croke Park, 1.30pm – TG4

 

Wednesday 4 January

O’Byrne Cup round 1
Wexford v Kildare, TBC, TBC
Louth v Westmeath, TBC, TBC
Laois v Longford, TBC, TBC
Carlow v Meath, TBC, TBC
Wicklow v Dublin, TBC, TBC

McGrath Cup round 1
Cork v Kerry, Cork venue, TBC
Limerick v Waterford, Limerick venue, TBC

 

Thursday 5 January

Kehoe Cup round 1
Kildare v Carlow, TBC, TBC
Wicklow v Meath, TBC, TBC

 

Friday 6 January

Connacht FBD FL round 1
Leitrim v Galway, TBC, TBC

Saturday 7 / Sunday 8 January

All-Ireland club SFC, semi-finals
Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) v Kerins O’Rahilly’s (Kerry) or Newcastle West (Limerick), TBC, TBC
Moycullen (Galway) v Glen (Derry) or Kilcoo (Down), TBC, TBC

All-Ireland club IFC semi-finals
St Mogue’s Fethard (Wexford) v Rathmore (Kerry) or Na Piarsaigh (Limerick), TBC, TBC
Dunmore MacHales (Galway) v Corduff (Monaghan) or Galbally Pearses (Tyrone), TBC, TBC

All-Ireland club JFC semi-finals
Castletown (Meath) v Fossa (Kerry) or Kilmurry (Cork), TBC, TBC
Clifden (Galway) v Glasgow Gaels (Britain) or Stewartstown Harps (Tyrone), TBC, TBC

 

Saturday 7 January

O’Byrne Cup round 2
Westmeath v Wexford, TBC, TBC
Kildare v Louth, TBC, TBC
Longford v Carlow, TBC, TBC
Meath v Laois, TBC, TBC
Offaly v Wicklow, TBC, TBC

 

Sunday 8 January

Walsh Cup round 1
Dublin v Antrim, TBC, TBC
Galway v Westmeath, TBC, TBC
Laois v Wexford, TBC, TBC
Kilkenny v Offaly, TBC, TBC

Kehoe Cup round 2
Carlow v Wicklow, TBC, TBC
Meath v Down, TBC, TBC

 

Monday 9 January

McGrath Cup round 2
Kerry v Clare, Kerry venue, TBC
Waterford v Tipperary, Waterford venue, TBC

 

Wednesday 11 January

O’Byrne Cup round 3
Wexford v Louth, TBC, TBC
Westmeath v Kildare, TBC, TBC
Laois v Carlow, TBC, TBC
Meath v Longford, TBC, TBC
Dublin v Offaly, TBC, TBC

 

Friday 13 January

Connacht FBD FL semi-final
Sligo v Roscommon, TBC, TBC

 

Saturday 14 / Sunday 15 January

All-Ireland club IFC, JFC, IHC and JHC finals
Leinster or Munster v Connacht or Ulster

 

Saturday 14 January

Connacht FBD FL semi-final
Mayo v Leitrim or Galway, TBC, TBC

McGrath Cup round 3
Clare v Cork, Clare venue, TBC
Tipperary v Limerick, Tipperary venue, TBC

Walsh Cup round 2
Westmeath v Antrim, TBC, TBC

 

Sunday 15 January

O’Byrne Cup semi-final
Group A winners (Kildare, Louth, Westmeath or Wexford) v Group C winners (Dublin, Wicklow, or Offaly), TBC, TBC

Walsh Cup round 2
Dublin v Galway, TBC, TBC
Laois v Kilkenny, TBC, TBC
Offaly v Wexford, TBC, TBC

Kehoe Cup round 3
Down v Carlow, Abbottstown, 2pm
Wicklow v Kildare, TBC, TBC

 

Wednesday 18 January

McGrath Cup final
Group A winners (Clare, Cork or Kerry) v Group B winners (Limerick, Tipperary or Waterford), TBC, TBC

 

Friday 20 January

Connacht FBD FL final
Sligo v Roscommon v Mayo or Leitrim or Galway, TBC, TBC

O’Byrne Cup final
Group A winners or Group C winners v Group B winners (Longford, Carlow, Meath or Laois), TBC, TBC

 

Saturday 21 / Sunday 22 January

All-Ireland club IFC, JFC, IHC and JHC finals
Leinster or Munster v Connacht or Ulster

 

Saturday 21 January

Walsh Cup round 3
Wexford v Kilkenny, TBC, 6pm

 

Sunday 22 January

Walsh Cup round 3
Offaly v Laois, TBC, TBC
Antrim v Galway, Darver, 2pm
Westmeath v Dublin, TBC, TBC

Kehoe Cup round 4
Carlow v Meath, TBC, TBC
Kildare v Down, TBC, TBC

 

Saturday 28 January

Walsh Cup final
Group 1 winners (Antrim, Dublin, Westmeath or Galway v Group 2 winners (Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford or Offaly) Croke Park, 3pm

Kehoe Cup round 5
Meath v Kildare, TBC, TBC

 

Sunday 29 January

Kehoe Cup round 5
Down v Wicklow, Abbottstown, 2pm

 

Football

Saturday 28 January

Division 1
Monaghan v Armagh, Castleblaney, 6.30pm
Mayo v Galway, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 7.30pm

Division 2
Derry v Limerick, Owenbeg, 3pm
Dublin v Kildare, Croke Park, 5pm

Division 3
Fermanagh v Longford, Enniskillen, 6pm
Tipperary v Down, FBD Semple Stadium, 6pm

Division 4
Carlow v Wicklow, Netwatch Cullen Park, 7pm
Wexford v London, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 7pm

Sunday 29 January

Division 1
Roscommon v Tyrone, Dr Hyde Park, 1.30pm
Donegal v Kerry, Ballybofey, 3.45pm

Division 2
Cork v Meath, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 1.30pm
Clare v Louth, Ennis, 2pm

Division 3
Westmeath v Cavan, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm
Antrim v Offaly, Belfast, 2pm

Division 4
Leitrim v Waterford, Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 1pm
Sligo v Laois, Markievicz Park Sligo, 2pm

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Hurling

Saturday 4 February

Division 1 Group A
Wexford v Galway, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 5pm
Cork v Limerick, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 7.30pm

Division 1 Group B
Antrim v Kilkenny, Belfast, 2pm
Tipperary v Laois, FBD Semple Stadium Thurles, 5pm

Sunday 4 February

Division 1 Group A
Clare v Westmeath, Ennis, 2pm

Division 1 Group B
Waterford v Dublin, Walsh Park, 2pm

 

 

 

L

LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

CNN
 — 

Brazil danced its way past South Korea and into the World Cup quarterfinals on Monday, sweeping aside its opponent 4-1 in a dazzling performance at Qatar 2022.

This was a real statement of intent from Brazil, as Tite’s side showed why it was considered the favorite to lift the trophy coming into the tournament.

Four first-half goals from Vinicius Jr., Neymar Jr. , Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta ended this match as a contest soon after it had begun, with a combination of shambolic Korean defending and brilliant Brazilian attacking play leading to the most one-sided game of this World Cup so far.

However porous the Korean defense was, the opening 45 minutes were truly a football spectacle and encapsulated everything that has made Brazil both feared and admired at the World Cup over the years.

That included some perfectly-timed choreographed dancing as Brazil celebrated each of its four goals in style, even convincing head coach Tite to join in with Richarlison’s ‘pigeon dance’ for the third goal.

The second half was little more than a procession for Brazil, as its players took their foot off the gas and began conserving their energy for the much sterner test against Croatia that lies ahead on Friday.

Seung-Ho Paik grabbed a consolation goal for Korea 15 minutes from time as his long-range strike took a deflection off Thiago Silva that helped it past Alisson into the far corner.

With the recent news that soccer great Pelé had been admitted to hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil’s players celebrated the win at full time with a banner paying tribute to the three-time World Cup winner.

Brazil came into this tournament as the favorite to lift the trophy, but had so far failed to live up to that tag.

Tite’s iteration of the Seleçao has always been known for its pragmatism instead of the Joga Bonito style of football displayed by some of the great Brazil teams of old.

Even by his pragmatic standards, however, the team’s three group games were stodgy affairs, with only brief flashes – primarily in the closing stages of the 2-0 win over Serbia – of the flair we have become accustomed to associating with Brazil over the years.

But that pragmatism has made this defense remarkably stingy; before Tite had made nine changes for the third group game against Cameroon, Brazil had not faced a single shot on target in Qatar.

Brazil was also given a huge boost ahead of its match against South Korea with the news that Neymar was fit to play for the first time since suffering an ankle sprain in that opening game against Serbia.

If Brazil’s players for whatever reason did need some added motivation, news that Pelé would be tuning into this game from the hospital in Sao Paulo where he is currently receiving treatment would have certainly provided that.

South Korea, meanwhile, has impressed in reaching the round of 16, coming through a difficult group that included Portugal, Ghana and Uruguay.

But Brazil started this game like it meant business, barely allowing the Koreans a touch of the ball inside the opening five minutes.

That early dominance paid off after just seven minutes thanks to some beautiful footwork from Raphinha that started a flowing Brazil move, which was finished off with unerring accuracy at the far post by Vinicius Jr., who placed the ball perfectly past four Korean players.

Korea’s poor start quickly turned into a nightmare, as Woo-Young Jung mistimed his swing for the ball and instead caught Richarlison on the foot inside the penalty area. It was certainly soft, but there was enough contact for referee Clement Turpin to award the penalty.

Neymar, on his return from injury, made no mistake, nonchalantly strolling up and placing the ball to the goalkeeper’s left.

The goal was Neymar’s 76th for the national team, just one strike away from equaling Pelé as Brazil’s all-time top goalscorer. By scoring Neymar also became just the third Brazilian player in history after Pelé and Ronaldo to score at three different World Cups.

Hee-Chan Hwang did force Alisson into a wonderful one-handed save soon after the penalty, but that was the closest South Korea came to scoring in the first half.

In fact, Turpin did a better job of defending Brazil’s players than any South Korean – at one point the French referee inadvertently blocked off Neymar’s path and forced the Paris Saint-Germain forward to about turn and find a teammate.

With the result already beyond doubt, it was now party time for Brazil. There were two more goals before half time and both of these showcased the very best of Brazilian football.

For the first, Richarlison began playing keepy-uppies with the ball on his forehead, before flicking it round a Korean defender, exchanging passes with Thiago Silva and Marquinhos and slotting the ball past Kim Seung Gyu.

The second came after a flowing Brazil counterattack as Vinicius stood the ball up to the far post for the onrushing Paqueta to volley home.

This game was already long over as a contest, but it was now in danger of turning into a humiliating night for South Korea, if it hadn’t already.

It was without doubt the best and most dominant half of football any team has put together so far at this World Cup, as Brazil finally announced itself as the leading contender to lift the trophy in Qatar.

If there was one positive for South Korea at the interval it was that the score was only 4-0 instead of seven or eight, but the second half would merely be an exercise in damage limitation.

Both teams had chances to add to the scoreline but the goalkeepers came out on top for most of the second period, until Paik’s crisp half-volley on 75 minutes finally beating Alisson thanks to a deflection off Silva.

That was to be the last meaningful action of a match that, in truth, had been over since the 30-minute mark.

Brazil and Tite in particular will be delighted with the manner of the victory and with the performance of star man Neymar, who looked sharp as he came through his first match back unscathed.

Ghana has a new hero and his name is Mohammed Kudus. Already impressing in the Champions League, his impact at this World Cup should be no surprise. But what is unusual is the deep connection that he has with his supporters at home in Ghana.

He is the embodiment of a new type of player, a product of one of the finest academies in world football. Not Ajax, the famous club for which he now plays, but Right to Dream, the academy in his homeland where he is now an inspiration for young people.

“Kudus is massive here,” former Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng tells Sky Sports.

“Every time he is playing, it does not matter whether it is the Champions League or a friendly match, you will see all the kids get up and watch Kudus. Just Kudus. They just want him to score. When he scores, everyone is all over the place.”

Boateng is describing the scene at the academy in eastern Ghana where he works and where Kudus began his journey. A goal for Ajax against Liverpool earlier this season sparked huge celebrations. When Kudus scored twice against South Korea, it was joyous.

From Tony Yeboah and Abedi Pele to Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan, this country has had its heroes. Right now, at just 22, Kudus is that player – and not just at his old academy. “Everywhere you go in Ghana, the name they are mentioning is Kudus.”

His two goals against Korea have put Ghana in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup in Qatar, exceeding expectations given that they are the lowest-ranked team in the tournament. Kudus is their top scorer but also their leader.

“The coach had to find someone to build the team around who he could trust,” Boateng explains. “It is Kudus. What I like is his confidence. He goes on the field and he shows the world Kudus. He gives respect after the game but during the game, he goes all out.

“I love his bravery on the ball. He is powerful. He is the total package and I am so glad that the coach recognises that. He is only 22 and has two or three World Cups after this. But he is the main man now.” That reflects his ability and his character.

It is customary at this point to explain how this man was honed in Europe, a raw prospect who learned the game at Ajax after adjusting to life on the continent in Denmark with FC Nordsjaelland. Those who have followed his journey push back on that narrative.

There is no doubt that FC Nordsjaelland’s involvement was crucial. The club provides more minutes to players under the age of 21 than any other top-tier professional team in the world. They provided the environment for Kudus to flourish and develop so quickly.

Kudus is gracing Europe with his game. But he was made in Africa.

Learning from Ghanaian culture

Tom Vernon, the former Manchester United scout in Africa, founded the Right to Dream academy and is the co-owner of FC Nordsjaelland. Note that it is Right to Dream that bought the club in Denmark not the other way around – an important distinction.

He spent 17 years living in Ghana and speaks passionately about how the culture of the country is not something for him to foist his ideas upon. Talents such as Kudus did not need to be sculpted or saved, they just needed the opportunity to shine.

“The environment taught and developed me rather than me going there to teach and develop anybody,” Vernon tells Sky Sports. “For example, our academy is built on the philosophy of ubuntu and the idea that a village raises a child.

“If you go into a supermarket with a baby, it is really normal for one of the women stacking the aisles to take that baby off for a play while you get your shopping done. Just think how far away we are in the west from that being something we could accept or trust now.

“I just think that is the wrong direction. What else are we overlooking just because it isn’t as polished? We want to help people connect with societies that have been misunderstood. There is so much richness there that is overlooked by the rest of the world.

“People will have you believe that these people were so hungry that they fought through all their barriers to make it. But there are so many components of Ghanaian society that breed excellence which have been really overlooked by the west for a long time.

“There is still that theme that we need to educate and develop Africa but when there are things like mental health issues and bitter political divides in the west, there are more solutions in Africa if we chose to look there about how we construct our society.

“Maybe we should ask ourselves another question. If we had not intervened so brutally 450 years ago, maybe those societies would have developed as models of how we could live and function rather than just being 70 years into trying to rebuild themselves.

“It is about looking into the kernels of African societal brilliance that have been battered by the west for so long. We can learn from those principles, which are the cradle of humanity and where the earliest ideas about how we could live and organise ourselves started.

“Those are the principles that have guided Right to Dream not what I learned at Manchester United. I learned some great stuff there but not how to connect and how to do the best for every individual. That was something that I learned from Ghanaian society.”

Emphasis on education

Boateng is back in Ghana after spending the best part of two decades as a player in Europe. He paints a similar picture. “It is not always about us learning from Europe,” he explains. “They can learn from us. And there is a lot to learn from Right to Dream.”

Kudus has done that, steeped in the values of the academy that he joined as a 10-year-old boy, the academy where Ghana team-mates Kamaldeen Sulemana and Kamal Sowah also started out. All now thriving in Europe, they want to lift up the next generation.

This principle helps to explain why Kudus retains such a strong connection with the youngsters at the academy. “One of the boys was having some issues recently, so the boy called Kudus because he needed advice and Kudus talked to him,” says Boateng.

“He always wants to help people and he wants to give back to society. He never forgets where he has come from. Whenever he comes back to his local team, he brings boxes of boots and jerseys for them. He is a person who always thinks of giving back.”

Boateng speaks warmly of his work: “I have so much energy on my scouting trips because I know I am going to change a child’s life.” He is proud that they are home to girls as well as boys – rare in this profit-oriented world. Proud too of the emphasis on education.

“I was walking to the academy one day and I saw kids in their school uniforms, they did not greet me, they just walked past. They were not from the academy, just from the village. Then I saw another kid who was naked without any clothes, about four years old.

“He wished me good morning. Education is not just being good academically, it is how you treat people.

“Kudus is the most respectful player I have ever seen and he is a smart guy. But he is a guy who does not talk a lot. He is always reserved, always observing. If you don’t know him, you could talk for 20 minutes and he would talk for two seconds.

“He is doing his talking on the pitch.”

Vernon has been in this game a long time, seen many special players. What Kudus is doing at this World Cup stands out but it is not the on-pitch accomplishments of these graduates that resonates most now. “It started with that being the end-game,” says Vernon.

“When it happened, it was not that he was playing in the World Cup, it was who he was and what he stood for. What they are doing for their communities stands the test of time, not when they score a goal or sing an anthem. That stuff is not so meaningful for me.”

In Ghana, there is an academy full of dreamers following every move of Mohammed Kudus, an identifiable role model inspiring others to follow his lead.

“The kids look up to him because he is one of them and now he is up there,” adds Boateng. “That is their dream too.”

Right To Dream are a purpose-only football community, who are building academies, professional football clubs and education networks across the globe. To learn more about how they are inspiring lasting change in the sports industry, visit https://www.righttodream.com/

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