Adolf ‘Adebayor’ Otiboe revels in Ghana U-20 call-up

Ada has over the years seen many football talents go waste even before they blossom to become finished products but not Adolf Otiboe AKA Adebayor.

The young teenage attacker of Okor FC, a second division side based in Sege in the Dangme West District of the Greater Accra Region is currently defying the odds to become the first native, born and bread in Ada to be invited to the camp of Ghana’s National teams, the Black Satellites.

When adacommunityonline.com caught up with him at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram where the team is currently training, Adebayor was full of smiles, recalling how he was selected after emerging top scorer at a one-day gala tournament organized by the MP for Ada which was scouted by the Black Satellites coach.

“I couldn’t believe it when the coach (Didi Dramani ) called me personally on phone to tell me of my invitation to the under 20.

This is something I would never forget,” Adebayor said.

Talking about life in camp and training, Adebayor reveals how tense it was in the beginning but gradually the 17 year old is catching up.

“Training was a bit difficult since it was a little different from what we do at Sege. Though it is not something that should have been difficult but because it is my first time I found it a bit difficult but I have picked up quickly and I’m enjoying every minute now,” he stated.

The Black satellites are currently in camp fine-tuning for a couple tournaments ahead. So far they have played about seven matches against local and international opponents and young Otiboe was never missing in action.

“I played all the matches except the game against China to open the Cape Coast stadium which I missed due to a minor injury,” the Sege born star explained.

Adebayor is a striker but sometimes operate from the wings. His main strength is pace, foot works and slick ball control. Standing at 6.1 feet, he possesses all that is required of a modern footballer to succeed at the highest level.

For a striker, all what fans expect are goals and Adebayor is not one to shy away from banging in the   goals.

“So far I’ve scored 3 goals in the matches I played. I scored two against Dreams FC alone, one in the first friendly and another in the return game against the Ghana Premier League side,” said a very bubbly Adebayor.

But according to the youngster, this is just the beginning and he is determined to work hard to cement his place in the national U-20 side as he chases his dreams.

“My main target is to be among the final 23 which will announced after the training camp though I am the only lower division player in the camp,” he said full of confidence.