Talent Spot; Meet Hafiz Wontah Konkoni a star in the making from the Upper West Region of Ghana

Hafiz Wontah Konkoni known among peers as Sopkari is one of the numerous stars from the Upper West Region to have written his name into the books of the nation’s elite league

Hafiz is among the numerous stars to have combined formal education alongside football in the region and nation at large

The talented forward is a teacher by profession as has earned diploma in basic education haven completed Tumu Teacher Training College in the Upper West region

With hard work and determination, the young man whose ultimate dream to be came a professional footballer took the toughest path of combining books with boots so as to achieve his ultimate goal

The budding forward started his playing career from colts before making exploits in the divisional leagues as well in his native town, Wa, the regional capital of the Upper West Region

With stints for clubs in the region notable Bazooka FC, Rockets FC and Yaasin FC during his junior education level, the forward left the region for Northern region for his secondary education Bole to be precise

Whiles having his secondary education, Hafiz never relent in achieving his ultimate dream of making it professional as a footballer

The Wa born striker joined then division two season Amajande FC in Bole since combining his books with boots, the youngster became a household name for both school and club in the region

With a season with Amajande FC, Hafiz was entrusted with the captain arm band as well as the leading marksman of the club and was tasked with qualifying the club to the national division one league the following season

At at tender age and also with his combination of books and boots, Hafiz bulky forward took up the challenge and delivered on promise as he guided the club to earn promotion to the national division one league

His goal scoring prowess stood tall in guiding the club to seal qualification at the first time of trying

As delivered on promise, the striker stayed on the help the club in their maiden edition in the national division league after declining numerous offers from other division one clubs as well as premier league teams

After a season in the national division one league, Amajande FC couldn’t survive as they were relegated back to the lower tier league but Hafiz made his mark as he scored vital goals for his side through out the campaign

Following relegation, it was again time to switch from boots to books as Hafiz got enrolled in to Tumu Teacher Training College in the Upper West Region

Whiles in College, the dedicated forward still had to combine assignments, quizzes and semester exams with football after then newly promoted Ghana premier league club Bolga Allstars

Hafiz had to on the road between Tumu and Tamale in mid week as well as weekends during match days in the Ghana premier league

With his tireless efforts with both books and boots, Hafiz didn’t disappoint fans with aerial technique as well as his shot taking skills coupled with his link up play upfront teammates

Following a tough maiden campaign in the elite league in Ghana as struggling Bolga Allstars got relegated, Hafiz’s diverse contributions for the club during out the season didn’t go unnoticed by several big clubs in the division

With notable club such as WAFA, Inter Allies and Bechem United all chasing the signature of the forward in the summer transfer window

Bechem United run out favourites as they landed the budding striker on a three year deal

The budding talent who was going into his second season in the top-flight leaguein Ghana but his maiden campaign for his new side Bechem United took the league by storm

Hafiz established himself as one of the furious forwards and became defenders nightmare in the league with match winning goal and man of the match performances throughout the league

The striker defied all odds to become the leading scoring in the league with 9 goals with notable strikes against his home town club Wa Allstars and his memorable brace against premier league giants Accra Hearts of Oak

With his sterling performances in the league week in and week out, it became inevitable as he was invited to the national U20 team

With the league interrupted by the recent bribery and corruption scandal that shaked the football fraternity, Hafiz couldn’t fulfill his dream of been crowned the top scorer of the league

With no league in the nation, it was time for the next step in his development as a professional footballer and this time round it was time to adventure into Europe

Hafiz signed his first contract when he joined Turkish lower tier side Merit Alsancak Yesilova where he made five appearances scoring one and with four assists to his name

He got his season interrupted with injuries in second round of the season in Turkey

After a season in Turkey, the forward was on a move again in Europe as he joined Northern Cyprus Super League side Baf ulku yurdu on loan from Bechem United

Hafiz joined a very fruitful season with his club as he made seventeen appearances and netted fifteen goals for the club throughout the season

Back home in Ghana, Hafiz is hoping for the return of the football season as he has an unfinished business to complete in the top-flight league in Ghana

By: Kanyiri Suburu Lucio/@SuburuAbdulai