Bechem United Target Dallas Cup Win

By John Vigah

EYE-CATCHING Ghanaian side, Bechem United, say they are all-too determined and composed to win the forthcoming Dallas Cup tournament, slated for the United States in April.

Technical Advisor of the club, Frederick Kweku Etsiakoh, told the Times Sports yesterday that the tournament presented a huge opportunity for the club to "showcase Ghana's scintillating brand of football and also swagger away with the coveted Golden Fleece at stake."

He reiterated the importance of adequately preparing for the campaign.

"We will organise friendly games against some of the best teams in Ghana so that the boys aren't surprised by anything that they see in the tournament, as well as have the ability to play against teams with different styles of play."

Aside from that, there would be a special two-week training camp for the team ahead of its departure to the tournament. The encampment will focus strictly on football, including field and classroom sessions - ensuring that the players are 100 per cent "tactically prepared" for the taxing task ahead.

The Ghanaian cadet team will leave a week to the April 12-24 youth tournament to enable the players acclimatize ahead of their opening game.

According to the US-based Technical Advisor from Ghamerico Management Limited, the team has the right character, attitude, strength and quality to win the tournament and bring the trophy to Ghana for the first time.

Nigeria is the only African team to have won the Dallas Cup in any of the youth divisions. They did it first in 1982 with Lagos Stars and repeated the feat three years later with Trebor Lions.

Bechem United are being sponsored by Delta Airlines and steered by Robert Osei Mensah, a USA-based soccer agent and CEO of Ghamerico Management Limited.

The Dr Pepper Dallas Cup, commonly known as the Dallas Cup, is an annual international football tournament for invited youth teams. Established in 1980, the tournament is held in Dallas, Texas, with FC Dallas serving as its host club.

Venues used for the tournament include the Cotton Bowl and Toyota Stadium. The Cup has tournaments for age groups ranging from Under-13 to Under-19.

Mexican side Tigres UANL is the champion of the Under-19 Super group. The first ever Dallas Cup saw an English club side from South London, St. Thomas More, win the U-14 cup, an amazing display in goal from Sean Woods saw him lofted onto the shoulders of his team-mates in celebration.

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