Foster Apetorgbor: The 16-year-old making history with Nsoatreman

The Ghana Premier League boasts exceptionally talented teenagers, many of whom are juggling their education with their professional football careers. Despite the challenges of balancing school and sport, they continue to make headlines in various domestic competitions.

Notable names include Shadrach Addo, Rocky Dwamena, Clinton Duodu, and Abdul Aziz Issah among others.

The latest rising star is Foster Apetorgbor from Nsoatreman SC, a final-year student at Kumasi High School.

The 16-year-old is not just playing in Ghana’s top flight but is also making a significant impact on Nsoatreman.

Apetorgbor was born in Yeji, the capital of the Pru East District in the Bono East Region of Ghana. This town, situated near Volta Lake, has a population that often works multiple jobs to make ends meet. Due to its coastal location, many residents engage in farming and fishing, despite the sometimes meager pay.

Growing up in a poor background, Apetorgbor was compelled to work several jobs throughout his early life. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Apetorgbor about 16 years ago, he helped his parents with their farm work and sold the produce in the Yeji township on market days.Foster had his sights set on fulfilling his passion and dream of becoming a professional football player.

An avid football fan helped him move to Olympiakos, an amateur club in the Ghanaian capital of Achimota. He later joined Asekem FC in the Ashanti Region when coach Maxwell Konadu spotted him and invited him to join the U17 team in camp.

Apetorgbor caught the attention of Nsoatreman’s scout team while he was competing for Kumasi High School in the Ashanti Regional interschools competition.
After giving his consent, he joined the team during the January transfer window.His arrive was greeted with some challenges as he battled with adequate playing time.

Nonetheless, he played in 17 games during the completed season and made a statement by winning two notable awards: the NASCO Player of the Month and the prestigious Nsoatreman Young Player Award.

The youngster has been a major contributor to his team this season. He scored the first goal in their 2-1 FA Cup semifinal victory over Legon Cities and assisted in Nsoatreman’s 2-1 win over Asante Kotoko at Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

“Africa here we come!”

A wholesome moment with the Nsoatreman team after winning the #MTNFACup trophy

MTN Ghana pic.twitter.com/yVOVaD35k6

— Michael Oti Adjei (@OtiAdjei) June 23, 2024

Foster Apetorgbor sealed the deal by scoring the game-winning penalty that secured the FA Cup trophy for Nsoatreman against Bofoakwa Tano on Sunday.Given his skill, team managers and analysts are projecting even higher achievements for him in the forthcoming campaign.

Eric Alagidede, the General Manager of Nsoatreman, expressed confidence that the player’s talent would propel him to greater heights in football.

”When I first signed him I knew he had the world under his feet. Foster is a special talent n I will help him develop into a Big star,” Alagidede told Akoma Sports.In addition to his impending final WAEC exams, Foster will also need to write three mock exams to graduate from Senior High School. This will add to the pressure of juggling academics and his budding football career.

Beyond his incredible talent, Apetorgbor benefits from working with a knowledgeable coach Maxwell Konadu and experienced players like Manaf Umar, who help support his development.

Foster Apetorgbor is undoubtedly capable of becoming a world-class player who will astonish fans for many years to come if he maintains his current work ethic. Despite his immense talent, he is still a raw product that needs polishing in many areas.