The team with their trophy at the Kotoka International Airport yesterday
Ghana’s Lizzy Sports Academy U-13 side left good footprints in this year’s Dubai International Cup, by defeating Spanish giants Real Madrid 4-2 on penalties on Saturday.
The Ghanaian side defied their travel difficulties and comfortably won their opening two games effortlessly.
They defeated Dubai side Al Wahda 4-0 at 1pm on Thursday before playing Egyptian side Wadi Degla at 8pm the same day since they arrived late for the tournament.
Again, Lizzy Sports Academy overpowered Barcelona the next day with a 2-0 win defeat to top their table and qualify for the 1/16 stage.
They extended their dominance over their Canadian Academy of Football counterparts with a 2-0 win to the quarter final where they clashed with Italian side Juventus.
The Juventus U-13 side also succumbed to the coach Nana Kwaku Agyemang side’s brilliance on penalties. They also defeated Angolan side AFA to settle for a final clash with Real Madrid.
Former top football Stars like David Trezeguet, Nicholas Anelka and Michel Salgado handed over the medals and trophy to the Lizzy Sports Academy side.
It was Ghanaian goalkeeper, Kingsley Asare, who won the best goalkeeper after saving three penalties; becoming the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.
Coach Nana Agyemang described the feat as herculean. “After watching us against Barcelona, every team wanted to defend.”
He called on corporate Ghana to rally behind the team as they strive to make a representation in the Black Stars saying, “These are under privileged kids we have put together and making sure that they have a bright future. As an institution, we can’t do all so we are calling on corporate institution for support. This is the future of Ghana.”
It was Centa 14 (Sports & Entertainment) who put the trip together.
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum