Kelvin Ofori: Fortuna Düsseldorf's investment in the future
In 2011, a ten-year-old boy from Ghana got the chance to follow his dream. This boy grew up eight years later and is well on the way to realizing his dream. This player is Kelvin Ofori, signed to Fortuna Düsseldorf in summer 2019. Does he have what it takes to prevail? He has now got the first chance in the Bundesliga. Let's take a look at the player.
Kelvin Ofori's previous sporting career: football training, U- (national) teams and missions
As already mentioned in the short introduction, Kelvin Ofori, who is now 18, was not trained in Europe. Ofori, who was born in Ghana, was discovered by scouts in his home country at the age of ten and subsequently admitted to and trained in the Right to Dream Academy.
The Right to Dream Academy is one of the most respected talent factories in Africa. Several players trained in the academy have already made their breakthrough in Europe, for example the 32-times Ghanaian international Majeed Waris, who is under contract with Racing Strasbourg in France's first division.
Many players also found their way to the American MLS or Denmark's FC Nordsjaelland, which is the academy's partner club and currently has nine graduates from the Right to Dream Academy under contract. Some of them have a good chance of moving into a stronger league soon. The 19-year-old Mohammed Kudus, for example, is also already a Ghanaian international.
Summer 2019: the move to Europe
In fact, in summer 2019, Kelvin Ofori is the only graduate of the academy who is not drawn to Nordsjaelland. Larger clubs such as Real Madrid and Manchester United were also allegedly involved. (However, we could not find any tangible evidence of this interest, editor's note.)
After a successful trial training session at the Düsseldorf camp in Maria Alm, Fortuna from Düsseldorf secured the services of the young offensive player. In an interview published on goal.com, Düsseldorf sports director Lutz Pfannenstiel reports that Ofori "was already considered an exceptional talent back then (in Africa, editor's note)." According to Pfannenstiel, Ofori arrived in the Düsseldorf training camp tired from the long journey and without soccer shoes. In training, with shoes that were one size too big for him, he still convinced and was then committed.
An investment in the future. Ofori's football talent also faces some risks. The Ghanaian, who is still 17 years old at the time, has to manage far away from home for the first time, doesn't speak the language. He has to change both culturally and football, because for the first time he is playing for a club, not for the academy. But those responsible in Düsseldorf are convinced and Ofori will soon have the chance to prove themselves.
August 2019: First competitive game in the DFB Cup
Fortuna Düsseldorf competes in the first round of the DFB Cup away with fifth division FC 08 Villingen. The Fortuna is having a hard time, even lagging behind at the break. Funkel changes twice at half time, takes the offensive forces Fink and Tekpetey from the square and brings the two offensive Pledl and Barkok. In the 63rd minute left winger Nana Ampomah is injured and needs to be replaced. Friedhelm Funkel only have two options if he wants to bring an offensive player. 19-year-old Shinta Appelkamp and Kelvin Ofori, who was signed just a few days ago. Sparkle chooses Ofori.
After 90 minutes it is 1: 1, it goes into extra time. Unscheduled for the Bundesliga club from Düsseldorf, the nervousness of the fans sets in. You definitely want to avoid being eliminated in the first cup round. But then the 102nd minute begins. The ball comes to Fortuna striker Rouwen Hennings, who plays on the well-positioned Ofori: taking the ball, one turn, the head goes up, Ofori decides his next action in peace - and pulls off. Gate. Düsseldorf leads. In the end, Düsseldorf moves 3-1 into the next round.
Coach change and other assignments
Subsequently, Ofori has to wait for further assignments, will no longer be used for Düsseldorf in 2019. In January, trainer Friedhelm Funkel left the club and was replaced by Uwe Rösler. Ofori's situation changes, in February he plays in the DFB Cup against Kaiserslautern for over 45 minutes. On March 3, again in the DFB Cup, he was even allowed to play against Saarbrücken for the first time from the start and will be replaced after 106 minutes. The Bundesliga debut appears to be the next logical step and will also become reality on March 8, 2020.
Career in the (U-) national team
According to Ligadebuet.de information, Kelvin Ofori has not been appointed for the U-Ghana national teams in recent years. Ofori was originally supposed to take part in the U17 World Cup in India with Ghana's U17. Participation in the tournament, which took place in October 2017, failed. Apparently, disputes over contractual matters between Ofori and the Right to Dream Academy were the trigger. Since then, Ofori has not been nominated.
The debut: As a right offensive player against 1.FSV Mainz 05
Fortuna Dusseldorf's game on the 25th Bundesliga matchday against 1.FSV Mainz 05 can be seen as an early final for the club. Düsseldorf occupies relegation place 16 with four points behind the table 15. from Mainz. If Düsseldorf loses in Mainz, they are already six points behind the new table 15. FC Augsburg. "Losing forbidden" describes the situation of Fortuna Düsseldorf very well before this away game.
Both teams go into the half-time break with a 0: 0 Fortuna Dusseldorf had determined the game, had more possession of the ball and more goal finishes. Then in shock 61: The long unconvincing Mainz take the lead with a header from Lewin Öztunali. Düsseldorf now has to risk even more. When the Mainz striker Mateta sees the yellow-red card in the 77th minute, Fortuna coach Rösler reacts: Kelvin Ofori comes into play as the third and last substitution of Fortuna. League debut!
The first nervous minutes
Ofori is used on an offensive half position, a kind of mixture between offensive midfield and right winger. This is where he can best show off his strengths.
And you can immediately see what makes Ofori. Low center of gravity, good dribbling, fine technique also when passing. Technically, he doesn't have to hide from anyone.
In the decision-making process, however, Ofori still has room for improvement, producing two ball losses in his first three minutes. On one hand, he cannot use a high ball properly, on the other hand he dribbles himself.
Performance increase: Ofori is getting stronger
Afterwards, however, Ofori increases. It is difficult to separate from the ball, especially for the tired Mainz, who have already had 80 minutes of Bundesliga football in their legs.
The young Ghanai takes advantage of this, uses his line-up again and again to gain space and thus helps his team to fill gaps in Mainz's defense. Mainz is having increasing problems accessing the ball.
Kelvin Ofori, the match winner in the first Bundesliga campaign?
In the 85th minute, Düsseldorf literally constricted the home team from Mainz. A cross from Fortune Matthias Zimmermann is unfortunately blocked by Mainz goalkeeper Florian Müller, striker Karaman is on hand, equalization! Düsseldorf again reduced the gap in the table to four points and still had a few minutes to turn the game around completely.
Afterwards, Ofori cheerfully ran away from his guards, both Robin Quaison and Leandro Martins Barreira were among the victims of his dribbling. In minute 91 he overcomes Mainz's Philipp Mwene with a clever one-two pass in a tight space.
In minute 94, Ofori shows his perhaps best action. At the right edge of the penalty area, he shields the ball against Mainz's Latza, who is secured by Mwene and Niakhate. Ofori turns away from the goal, plays a short back pass on team-mate Kevin Stöger. Ofori immediately turns back towards the goal, gets the ball back from Stöger, escapes the surprised guards Mwene and Niakhaté and runs free towards the goal - before he stumbles and loses control of the ball.
It is a shame for the talent that a last-minute winning goal in the league debut in such an important game would have made him immortal with the fans straight away. Did your nerves fail? How to take it, the situation was another brief flash of raw talent available to the attacker. The game ends 1-1.
Position and style of play
Kelvin Ofori is an attacker who due to his stature (Ofori is 1.72m tall) is more predestined for the outside track. For Fortuna Düsseldorf, he has so far mainly been used in the said half position on the right offensive side. Future appearances on the left, as a central offensive midfielder or even as a striker cannot be excluded.
As already indicated above, Ofori has a low center of gravity and is therefore very agile and agile. His great technical quality helps him to be extremely flexible in dribbling and to keep his opponents at a distance. He already shields the ball well and is physically well developed for his age. So he can assert himself against seasoned Bundesliga players.
As far as the passing game is concerned, two things can be derived so far. On the one hand: Oforis short passes come quickly and precisely. Together with his strong technique and ball control, this draws him as a player who can crack deep opponents through a fast combination game. On the other hand: Oforis game relocations are technically almost flawless. The young Ghanaian did without flanks and long high balls.
His decision-making is still subject to expansion. If he doesn't get strong pressure from his opponent, he makes good decisions and shifts the game sensibly. If you put Ofori under pressure or if you are in a less controlled game situation, for example with a high ball, he still makes mistakes. Even in dribbling, he sometimes goes a bit through the wall with his head. His coaches will work with him on this.
Source: www.ligadebuet.de
Advertisement
Comments
This article has 0 comment(s) , give your comment