The adopted father of Frank Acheampong, Joseph insists he did not impose the name change on the Ghana U20 star.
The Anderlect star’s surname is that of the President of Ghana’s second tier club Rainbow FC.
Joseph Kwadwo Acheampong unearthed the Ghana international at age 10 while he was playing non-league football in Kumasi.
The 19-year-old has however abandoned his family name to take that of his adopted father.
Muted rumours are rife the Rainbow FC owner compels talented youngsters he discovers to take up his name for purposes of expediency.
But the former footballer himself says he only agrees to a name change of his players upon their request and consent of their parents and guardians.
“They are alive and kicking (parents of the players),†he told Metro941.com.
“But they love to see the way I am with them (players) in the same house, taking care of them, taking them to school and treating them as my own children.
“It is something I want to give to society that is why they all chose to bear my name and it is with the consent of their parents.
“Personally I was a footballer but unfortunately I got injured at the early stage of my career.
“And because of this I decided to nurse the numerous talents in the system.
“And that is where I spotted Frank Acheampong. He is not my biological son but I adopted him because of his talent when he was only 10 years.
“Also Frederich Acheampong, they are all using my name because they see me as a good father. They lived in my house and all.â€
Joseph Acheampong has secured a similar name change for MTN FA Cup Discovery of the Tournament award winner Frederich and juvenile wizkid Alex.