Francis Oti Akenteng, James Akwesi Appiah, Kennedy Agyapong aka Kenpong
Kenpong Group of Companies have teamed up with former Black Stars coach and captain, James Akwesi Appiah and former GFA Technical Director, Francis Oti Akenteng to set up a modern football academy, according to reports.
Reports suggest that the newly established academy situated at Winneba in the Central Region would focus on nurturing young talents in the country.
Insiders reveal the three astute personalities have vowed to make the academy the biggest in Ghana and West Africa, hence the decision to invest heavily in the project.
Whiles Akwesi Appiah and Oti Akenteng deal with the technical aspect of the game, Kennedy Agyapong, the Kwahu born businessman who is widely known as (Cappuccino or Kenpong), would provide the necessary logistics to ensure the young kids get the best of training and support.
However, some media practitioners who are familiar with the project have praised the respected businessman for his decision to invest in football and pledged to throw their weight behind him.
“Cappuccino has been a friend of the media for more than 20 years, so this is time for us to show him support. We are going to do everything possible to ensure he succeeds,” one of the journalists who wants to remain anonymous added.
Career of James Akwesi Appiah
James Akwesi Appiah, nicknamed ‘Mayele’, during his playing days with Kumasi Asante Kotoko, has received technical training from English clubs Manchester City, and Liverpool.
James Akwesi Appiah was Ghana’s assistant coach between 2007 and 2012. Appiah was coach of Ghana U23 as they won the 2011 All-Africa Games.
He was appointed as the head coach of the Ghanaian national team in April 2012, describing himself as “the underdog” in the process.
Akwesi Appiah qualified Ghana to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, making him the first black African coach to take the country to the World Cup.
He was a left back, played club football with Asante Kotoko, playing for them between 1983 and 1993 and played for the Ghanaian national team between 1987 and 1992, appearing in two FIFA World Cup qualifying matches; he also captained the Black Stars and Kotoko in the late 1980s.
Francis Oti Akenteng
Francis Oti Akenteng is a former Ghanaian Olympic athlete and coach. He is the immediate past Technical Director of the Ghana Football Association.
Oti Akenteng was appointed Technical Director of the GFA in 2009 and served as CAF Technical Education Officer for fourteen years. He previously coached Accra Hearts of Oak and AshGold.
Kennedy Agyapong (Cappuccino or Kenpong)
The Kwahu born astute businessman has invested heavily in football for more than 20 years.
He was part of the former Herbert Mensah and PV Obeng led administrations at Asante Kotoko in 1999 and 2001. As a member of the board, he helped the club to pull off the most controversial transfers in Ghana’s history by signing Charles Taylor from Accra Hearts of Oak.
He also helped the club secure the services of Baba Amando, Michael Osei, Stephen Oduro and a host of others.