President Nelson Mandela was South Africa’s first president, a feat he achieved not on a silver platter but through hard work, endurance and persistence. Through persistence, Mandela captured independence for South Africa, and also brought a close to apartheid rule that had segregated the country. Persistence, humility and endurance are morals drawn from the story of the industrious son of Africa and these elements are ingredients for success in all endeavors.
Such is the story of Azeko Mandela, a young footballer who hails from the Upper East Region of Ghana.
Mandy as he is affectionately called by his peers grew up in Zuarungu, a suburb of Bolgatanga. With the dream of becoming one of the best football talents in the country, the dazzling striker joined the then young juventus where he started to nurture his young talent.
The journey at young juventus was not a rosy ride. Players had to endure playing on “sakora” and erosion ridden pitches and most frustratingly, financial assistance was lacking but Mandela never gave up his dream. Young Mandela stood the test of time in order to better himself and nurture his young talent.
As some players at young juventus gave up their dreams, Mandela kept pushing harder because his vision of qualifying his team for the second division and also bettering himself at what he knows how to do best.
Qualifying young juventus for the division two league did not end the hard work but was rather seen as a platform to further build his talent and to work extra hard. As players displayed a Laize faire attitude towards training and their personal development, Azeko never did same.
“Coming to training on time and personal training before and after group training was Azeko’s hallmark. Although he was not Bolgatanga based, he never missed training sessions without an imperative excuse. I am not surprised of his exploits and I believe he will go places.” These were the words of coach Fatau Salifu popularly known as kiyoyo as he described Mandy.
The change in ownership and re-branding young juventus in 2015 to FC Tanga was sigh of great relief. Azeko now had access to footballing materials, and some financial assistance that motivated him to do more.
Azeko carried the young team on his shoulders and with assistance from members of his team, a young FC Tanga qualified for the division one league with an unbeaten run. Mandela’s  role in qualifying the team for the division one was unparalleled as he dazzled spectators with his skills, his “Usain bolt” speed and his goal scoring prowess.
“Azeko was our man of the moment; he scored the vital goals when we needed them most. His contribution to our qualification was unique. We will miss him and the classic goals he used to score for us,” Coach Fatau said.
Qualifying for division one is no joke and FC Tanga prepared itself for the herculean task ahead of it. Players were given the opportunity to travel from their comfort zone in Bolgatanga to the nation’s capital, Accra where they played some other division one, two and premier league clubs.
The straw that broke the camel’s back was when FC Tanga featured in the Pre-season tournament where his [Azeko’s] instrumentality in the team won him the admiration of many including all scouts who were present for the tournament.
Azeko was after this tournament approached by the big teams in the country but for his personal development, he and his managers settled on Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
Azeko Mandela will feature in Ghana Premier league for the Porcupine Warriors when the league commences on February 20th and will take the country by storm as he warms himself into the unarguably best premier league team in the country.
By Offei-Akoto Ayeh | A1RADIOONLINE.COM | GHANA
