32 teams will be involved in the 2023 edition of the Baby Jet U-16 African Football Tournament to be staged at the Cape Coast Stadium from June 6 to June 13, 2023, with the hope of producing the next big star to hit Europe.
In a well-patronised press conference to launch this year’s tournament, stakeholders trooped into the MultiChoice Ghana head office to set the ball rolling in the hunt for future football stars from Africa.
Ex-Black Stars internationals Stephen Appiah, John Paintsil, Laryea Kingston, Emmanuel Agyeman Badu, and Nii Odartey Lamptey were all in attendance while there was support from the PFA and Ghana Football Association through Anthony Baffoe and Bernard Lippert, who is the technical director of the GFA.
The Asamoah Gyan Foundation’s annual trademark event, the tournament, which provides a stage for young people to display their potential, has a new twist this year with several African clubs also invited for the showpiece.
In the 32-team tournament, football academies from Togo, Nigeria, Benin, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso will come down to Ghana to compete with 22 other Ghana-based clubs at the Cape Coast Stadium.
The tournament first started in 2018 at the Accra Academy Astro Turf with Great Somas winning the maiden edition. The tournament also led to the discovery of Matthew Anim Cudjoe, who is now with Scottish side Dundee United.
Others who have risen to the ranks through the first edition include Emmanuel Yeboah, now with Cluj while Raymond Anokye Asante recently joined Udinese.
Samuel Gidi (Zilina FC), Michael Lamptey (Zilina FC), Derrick Mensah, (WAFA) and Moses Abbey (Italy) are all products of the Baby Jet U-16 Football Tournament.
The 2019 winners of the Baby Jet U-16 competition, Ofori Academy will also be participating in this year’s football gala.
Speaking to the media, former Black Stars forward, Asamoah Gyan could not hide his elation as the tournament draws to its commencement.
“I am honoured to be where I am. When you talk about the Baby Jet U-16 Tournament, it is something to say thank you to Ghanaians for their support all these years and this is the only I can do to give back,” he said.
“This year, we are trying to take it to the next level by looking at [countries in] the sub-regions in Africa to also participate.”
Asamoah Gyan, Emmanuel Agyeman Badu and Joseph Painstil ahead of the launch of the 2023 Baby Jet U-16 African Football Tournament. #JoySports pic.twitter.com/9MFORzqHOm
— ⬅️ #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) May 22, 2023
Asamoah Gyan in his address said the main of the tournament is to first unearth talent, groom them and also give them the chance to be scouted by the best in the world.
Confirmed teams set to participate in the third edition of the tournament are as follows;
Greater Accra
1. Somas
2. Attram
3. Corintians
4. Taking Over
5. Shinning Stars*
6. Vision Academy*
Ashanti Region
7. Anokye stars
8. Ebony FC
9. NAMORO FC
10. Ofori Academy
11. Medimafo
Eastern Region
12. Storm Academy
13. AHOSA Academy
Upper East
14. Bolga Soccer Masters
15. Bolga All Stars
BA Region
16. Ken Hammer*
17. Young Generation FC
Western Region
18. Team Move
19. Unicom fc
20. Central Region Select Side
21. GlowLap Academy
22. Volta Region – Dynamo FC
Foreign Countries
23. Billionaires Club – Nigeria
24. Hypebuzz Football – Nigeria
25. Schmimich – Nigeria
26. Kalala Sc – Benin
27. AFL – Togo
28. CEF EF – Burkina Faso
29. Labote – Togo
30. J.S.T. FC – Togo
31. PANAFRICAN – Cote D’Ivoire
32. Tengrela – Cote D’Ivoire
33. Obama Academy – Nigeria
The draw for the tournament is set to be done on Wednesday, May 24, with the teams set to arrive in Cape Coast on June 4.