Like father, like sons: Next generation of Ghanaian footballing dynasties
In the world of football, talent often runs deep in the veins, passed down from generation to generation.
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This was vividly displayed last Wednesday when a former Ghana international, Matthew Amoah, proudly watched his son, Matthew Jr., sign his first professional contract with Dutch Eredivisie side, Feyenoord Rotterdam.
The 15-year-old attacking midfielder committed to the club until mid-2027, embarking on a journey that mirrors his father's illustrious career.
The signing ceremony at Feyenoord Stadium, De Kuip, was a momentous family occasion. Loved ones gathered to witness young Amoah’s smooth transition from the club's academy to the senior team.
His path to professional football is reminiscent of his father's career, when he played for Dutch clubs Vitesse Arnhem, NAC Breda, Fortuna Sittard, SC Heerenveen, and Heracles Almelo.
Now residing in the Netherlands, Amoah Sr.’s pride was palpable as his son stepped into the limelight on a journey to replicate his footballing success.
On the same day, Razak Pimpong, another former Black Stars stalwart, was celebrating his son's achievement. Malik Pimpong, selected for Denmark's under-17 team for the upcoming 2024 Inter-Nordic tournament, showcases the footballing prowess inherited from his father.
Born to a Danish mother while Pimpong was playing for FC Midtjylland, Malik has inherited his father's skill and eye for goal, embarking on a career path reminiscent of his father's.
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The challenge of living up to their fathers' legacies is significant for Matthew Jr. and Malik Pimpong. Yet, they are not alone in this endeavour.
They join a distinguished lineage of football families where sons strive to emulate their fathers' success.
The Ayews—Rahim, Andre and Jordan—are perhaps the most notable. Each has carved out their own place in football history under the shadow of their legendary father, Abedi Ayew Pele, a former Black Stars captain and three-time African Footballer of the Year. Andre, the current Black Stars captain, leads with the same passion his father exhibited decades ago.
This trend of football dynasties extends beyond the Ayews. Richard 'Olele' Kingson and his brother Laryea Kingston both represented Ghana, inspired by their father Emmanuel Adjei Kingson, a former goalkeeper for Accra Great Olympics.
Similarly, Derek Asamoah experienced the unique thrill of playing alongside his son, Maleace Kobby Afriyie Asamoah, at lower-tier English side Cheshunt FC.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, the former Chelsea forward now with Nottingham Forest, is another example.
Born to ex-Hearts of Oak star, Bismark Odoi, Hudson-Odoi has represented England at various youth levels. However, during a vacation in Accra two years ago, he expressed his readiness to play for Ghana, highlighting the ongoing connection to his father's homeland.
Former Black Stars captain and coach Charles Akonnor’s son, Charles-Jesaja Herrmann, has taken a different path. Despite starting his career in the youth system at VfL Wolfsburg, the German side his father played for, Herrmann now plays for Waldhof Mannheim and has represented Germany's youth teams from the under-15 to under-19 levels.
The Amuzu brothers, Francis and Joseph, have also made names for themselves in Belgian football. Their father, Francis Amuzu Sr., played for Hearts of Oak and the Black Satellites before retiring at Belgian side FCV Dender in 2003.
Francis Jr., 24, currently plays for Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht and Belgium's under-21 team, while Joseph, 19, is with FC Dordrecht in the Dutch second-tier league.
Another example is Emmanuel Asare, a former Okwawu United and Black Satellites international. After retiring, he settled in Belgium and guided his son, Dirk Asare Jr., to hone his talent until he signed his first professional contract with Belgian side, KV Mechelen in 2022. Dirk has already represented Belgium's under-16 team, showcasing the next generation’s promise.
These stories highlight a new wave of footballers, many born in Europe, who are following in their fathers' footsteps.
Their journeys are marked by both the weight of expectation and the inspiration drawn from their fathers' illustrious careers. They embody the hope and dreams of a nation passionate about its football heritage.
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For these young talents, the challenge lies not only in matching their fathers’ achievements but also in forging their own paths.
The weight of the past can be a heavy burden, but it also provides a powerful source of motivation. As they step onto the field, they carry the legacy of their fathers, the hopes of their families, and the dreams of a football-crazed nation.
From the Amoahs in the Netherlands to the Pimpongs in Denmark, and the Ayews in Ghana, football remains a family affair.
These young stars are chips off the old block, proving that in football, as in life, talent and passion are often passed down from one generation to the next.
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