U-13 African Champions return to base with trophy

Tamale, (N/R), April 17, GNA – The newly crowned U-13 African Champions, Tamale SOS Children's School, on Tuesday returned to their base in Tamale to a heroic welcome amidst dancing and singing from people of all walks of life in the Metropolis.

The victorious team was met at the Tamale Airport by a delegation comprising students and teachers from selected Second-Cycle Schools in the Tamale Metropolis, led by the Northern Regional Director of Education, Madam Elizabeth De Souza.

Sulemana Mohammed, Captain of the team was the first to step out of the plane by displaying the trophy to the delight of the waiting delegation, who shouted and sang to cheer the players as they disembarked from the plane.

Daniel Baani, Head of SOS Football Team, recounted the team's experience at the tournament as he presented the trophy to Madam De Souza amid a large applause from the enthusiastic crowd.

The delegation then moved to the Northern Regional Coordinating Council to meet the Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba,where they presented the trophy to him in the presence of his Deputy, Nasamu Asabigi as well as other officials of the Council and heads of departments and ministries.

Mr Mabengba praised the team for the feat chalked and dedicated the success to the entire Northern Region and urged the people to see the use the success of the young lads to ensure peace and unity prevails in the region and the country.

He thanked the team for making particularly the Region proud and donated GHȼ 1000.00 on behalf of the RCC to the victorious team.

He pledged the continued support of the RCC to the team to enable it reach higher heights, whilst urging other teams to emulate their example of dedication, discipline and desire to achieve success from their location.

Madam De Souza expressed gratitude to the team for its success, saying it had made the Region proud and all teachers were happy at the feat chalked in the few years of the establishment of the School.

Mr Osman Alhassan Rashid, Coach of SOS Football Team thanked the sponsors of the team, especially Nestle Ghana Limited, producers of Milo beverages drink for standing steadfast behind the team.

The U-13 African Football Championship was hosted by Ghana from 12th to the 13th of April, 2012, and had six countries competing for laurels with the Ghana representatives beating all the teams on their way which had teams coming from title holders, Nigeria, South Africa, Liberia, Siera Leone and Kenya.

Ghana's team, which was made up of pupils from the SOS Children School in Tamale, beat South Africa 4 – 0 at the finals to wrestle the coveted trophy.

GNA