Young Ghanaian Striker ready for the big time!

Stories told of Germany's Gerald Asmoah and George Boateng of Holland are ones received with a lot of gnashing of teeth by the Ghanaian teaming soccer fans.

Simply so because both players have made it to the pinnacle of World football not in Ghanaian National team jersey but in a that of a "strange" country's. George's case wasnt that painful as he had lived all his life in Holland but Gerald's was very painful. Having been cajoled to come to Ghana after the German national handlers had expressed interest in him,all taught it was a wrapped up job for the black Stars. Alas it was not to be! Ghananian officialdom in characteristic style refused to accord the young chap the needed welcome.

In the end, Ghana's loss became Germany's gain as they went on to win Silver in the just ended World Cup with Gerald in the squad albeit with little contribution to the team's efforts!

With this bitter experience fresh in our minds comes the news that a 19 yr old Ghanaian star Abeeku Gaisie is carving a name for himself in France putting him in hot demand for the French U-20 team Handlers who are fast looking for replacements in their senior national team players.

Abeeku Gaisie left the shores of Ghana at a time he was preparing for the African U-17 championship with the Black starlets.

Ghana did not qualify eventually but Abeeku secured a contract with the Junior team of French Div 2 team AS Nancy Lorraine.

Before long , he was promoted to the second team of the senior side after impressive performances.Perhaps his 8 goals out of 18 matches he played in his first year wasnt impressive n enough but after scoring 7 goals in a pre-season tournament to win the Goal king title, his managers took him serious.

When he emerged his team's top scorer in the league having scored a total number of 11 goals out of 21 matches played, Abeeku earned a place in the team's side.More so Interest from other French clubs became intense.

Now, Abeeku appears unruffled and geared up for the big time to blaze the trail of his native Ghanaians Alex Nyarko and Micheal Essien who are all house hold names in the French Division one league with As Nancy Lorraine.

At a time Ghana is preparing for the U-20 African Youth tournament as well as the World Youth Cup,no one needs to remind the national team handlers the need to at least invite the young Chap for trials with the Black Satellites team which is still finding it difficult getting its rhythm.

The story of Gerald and George still rings loudly in our minds....

PLAYER'S PROFILE:

SURNAME: Gaisie
FIRST NAME: Abeeku
DATE OF BIRTH: 16^th March 1984
NATIONALITY: Ghanaian
HEIGHT: 1.68m
WEIGHT: 65kg
POSITION: Striker
PRESENT CLUB: A.S. Nancy Lorraine( French Division 2, since 2000.

ACHIVEMENTS:

• SEASON 2000-2001, (U/17 FIRST YEAR) 18 MATCHES PLAYED AND 8 GOALS SCORED.
       SEASON 2001-2002, (U/17 SECOND YEAR) WON GOALKING AWARD IN A PRE-SEASON TOURNAMENT WITH 7 GOALS SCORED IN 3 MATCHES.
• LEAGUE: 21 MATCHES PLAYED AND 11 GOALS SCORED. TEAMS TOP SCORER.
• COUP GAMBADELLA: (FRANCE NATIONAL U/17 KNOCKOUT) 6 MATCHES PLAYED AND 9 GOALS SCORED, ELIMINATED IN THE QUARTER FINAL STAGE. SEASON 2002-2003: PROMOTED TO THE SENIOR SIDE AND PRESENTLY PLAYING WITH THE TEAM B. (CFA LIGUE).

SPECIAL QUALITIES: DESCIPLINE AND HARDWORKING. RUNS VERY FAST, EXECELLENT SCORING ABILITY AND A GOOD PASSER OF THE BALL.

CLUBS FAX NUMBER: +33-38-31-83-09-2

WEBSITE ADDRESS: www.asnl.net