He was on the pitch for just ten minutes but that was enough to showcase his immense talent.
His sublime skills, passing and dribbles stole the attention and won the hearts of the many fans who had gathered to watch the finals of the GHALCA organized G-6 tournament between Aduana Stars and Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
His display created murmurings and excitement among the spectators who could not believe what they were witnessing, thus earning him the moniker ‘Dormaa Ahenkro Messi’.
Sampson’s burst of pace grips you with excitement, his sublime skills keep you on the edge of your seat. There’s an adrenaline rush anytime he has the ball tightly glued to his magical left foot.
He is a player with a special gift and finesse, speed paired with technique and skills- at just 16. With such a display, one can easily tell that the lad is destined for greatness. Such displays has always characterised the Dunkwa-on-Offin raised boy, who had previously played for Mighty Professionals, a colts club at Dunkwa-on-Offin, National Sports College Academy, and Division One side, Windy Professionals.
“I am not surprised to hear people talk about my talent even though I was on the pitch for some few minutes.” He told GhanaFans.com. “I have always loved to play against the big clubs. I could not mess up when the opportunity presented itself.”
Sampson plays a play-making role and occasionally a free-attacking role. He is comfortable attacking on either wing or through the centre of the pitch. His quick feet allow him to keep control of the ball when dribbling at top speed.
“I am able to play on either side of the wing but I am very comfortable when I am assigned to a free-attacking role. When I am allowed to dictate the pace of the game. It brings out the best in me.”
Wherever he plays this season, he will undoubtedly create opportunities for Aduana Stars whether be it from his pinpoint crossing and tricky dribbling or his superb vision and passing.
Sampson admits he couldn’t have wished for a better footballing education than what he had at the Ghana National Sports College Academy.” I enjoyed every minute of playing football at the academy; it was great being a kid and doing something that you really love with some of the best footballers from across the country.
“It was great to have been part of it, I’m really grateful to them for giving me the chance to spend my formative years there- to learn football and to learn to be a good person.”
Growing up, Sampson naturally looked to Lionel Messi as his idol. “I really like him and watch him a lot because my style of play is reminiscent of his and it’s my prayer to emulate all what he has done as far as football is concerned,” the 16-year-old enthused.
Sampson is faced with a fight to gain a first team spot, as he is surrounded by experienced players who have seen it all as far as the local league is concerned, but the young prodigy feels that’s mainly down to the strategic nous of Coach Nurudeen Ahmed.
“He’s a very good coach and I am learning a lot from him,” he said. “I want to keep doing that all season. I learn a lot tactically from him: how to keep shape, how to help the team defensively when we don’t have the ball and how to be hard to beat.”
Like any other footballer, Sampson dreams of donning the national colours of his motherland within the shortest possible time. “I wish to play for the senior national team one day starting with the juvenile teams notably, the Black Starlets and Black Satellites.” He added.
Are you still of the view that, the local league is bereft of talents who lights up games? Then closely monitor the ‘Dormaa Ahenkro Messi’ as he whets your appetite for the local league and you won’t tergiversate when it comes to local football.
Source: Ghanafans.com