Lintop FC from Takoradi made Ghanaians resident in Gothenburg and Ghana as a whole proud by wining the 16 yr old group of the Gothia Cup in Gothenburg today (2002-07-20) - the world's biggest youth tournament with 1,232 teams from 61 countries.

Ghana was represented for the first time at the tournament with three teams the 19 year olds from Capital Express and Ravico did not impress. On the contrary, I watched Lintop FC display good football antics with maturity. They beat a Brazilian team to qualify for the quarter finals. At the quarter finals they beat a good Swedish side by 11 goals to 0. Talk about giving each player a goal to take home! I wish the coach had been given one too. At the semi finals they met a tougher group from Norway but with good organisation, entusiasm and committment they won the match by 3 goals to 1.

At the finals the met a tough group from Mexico. By the 53rd minute the scoreboard was 2-1 in favour of the Ghanaians after Alexander Rhaman and Najib Ibrahim had scored two goals during the 48th and 53rd minutes respectively. The Mexicans unfortuantely equalised during injury time which took the match to penalty shoot out. The goalkeeper who looked to be the youngest on the team saved two of the penalties from the opposing side, yes a hero's performance and that saw the Ghanaians taking the trophy for the 16 yr old group of the prestigious Gothia cup tounament.

I've seen over the past five years Ghanaian teams taking part in this tounament and each of them have shown wonderful and typical Ghanaain football skills but the difference here is the leadership. For the first time I saw leaders showing interest in their boys and being there for them, something that has been a luxury with the previous groups that I've come in contact with, the worse of them being one that was led by a someone who is occupying a top position in the present government in Ghana. Founder and coah of Lintop FC, Uncle Kwasi of deserves to be congratulated.

I salute you Uncle Kwasi for the good work done and I congratulate the boys of Lintop who had the South African girls cheering them up with Theo Awuletey on Ghanaian talking drums and a dozen other Ghanaians defying regulations by taking the coach and the reserve bench singing dancing and cheering. Hey naughty minds, no there was no libilibi with the South Africans the boys were gentlemen.

Other Report

The players of Lintop surprised by singing their national anthem by themselves. The sun was shining from a blue sky at an almost neon green field. Light cool breezes.

What else is there to wish for a football lover?
It should be a really great score then! That dream comes true. Juan Hernandez Tagle from Cruz Azul got a pass from the right line and his volley shot from 25 metres is worthy any top player.

The Mexicans leading goal at the fifth minute is today?s most beautiful-so far. Both teams are quick and technical and the match was played at a high rate. At the forty-seventh minute Lintop puts pressure on the Mexicans with dangerous shots in the penalty area.

The goal-keeper of Cruz Azul leaves a rebound and without covering Alexander Rahman Cole can equalize.

Just minutes later Lintop gets a penalty and Ibrahim Najeeb does no mistake. Lintop has turned their disadvantage into a lead, 2-1. But at the very last second Cruz Azul gets their equalizer after a corner. Not even five penalties couldn?t separate the teams. And as Lintop?s goal-keeper saves at the sixth round it?s all done.

Final result
1) Lintop FC
2) Cruz Azul
3) FK Vig?r
3) Tors?ngs IF