Ashaiman, a bustling suburb of Accra, has long been a breeding ground for football talent. The names of Thomas Partey, Francis Narh, and Moses Odjer echo through its streets, their journeys to professional football beginning in the same place—Revelation FC.
Revelation FC is known for shaping some of Ghana’s finest players. But this story isn’t about those who made it to the top; it’s about one who had the talent but never got the chance. His name is Abubakar Aziz.
As a young footballer, Aziz trained alongside future stars at Revelation FC, dreaming of playing on the world’s biggest stages. He shared the pitch with Partey, Narh, and Odjer, matching them in skill and ambition. But life had other plans.
“I met Aziz when he used to train boys at the park here [in Ashaiman Sakasaka Park]. He was trying,” says Ibrahim Issaka, the owner of Revelation FC, pointing to the spot where their paths first crossed.
“He was my player before. Back then, the accident hadn’t happened, so he was on his feet, playing alongside [Arsenal’s] Thomas Partey, Francis Narh, [former Ghana U20 star] Moses Odjer, Larwey, Jacobson, and others,” Ibrahim recalls with a nostalgic smile.
Fate, however, had a cruel twist in store.
A Life-Altering Accident
Aziz’s dream came crashing down in 2016. What should have been a bright future in football turned into a fight for survival.
“I used to play football and work at the same time because things were tough at home. One day, after work, I got into an accident. I was rushed to Tema General Hospital, but the doctors said both my legs were broken and needed to be amputated. My manager and car owner refused, so they transferred me to Koforidua St. Joseph Hospital,” Aziz recounts.
The injuries shattered his football career. But rather than give up, he found a new purpose.
Coaching Against the Odds
Aziz now stands on the sidelines, crutches in hand, coaching young talents with the same passion he once played with. He endures scorching heat, torrential rain, and the everyday struggles of navigating life on one leg.
“It hasn’t been easy. Even people with two legs struggle. Sometimes, I want to demonstrate drills, but I can’t. When that happens, I rely on one of the kids to do the demo,” he says with a sigh.
“Coaching is never easy—it takes patience.”
His hardships extend beyond the pitch. Financial struggles have plagued him, forcing him to sell football boots to survive. When he couldn’t afford his child’s medical bills, it tore his family apart.
“I knew people who wanted to help me before, but things have changed. Now, I trade in football boots to survive,” he says with a heavy heart.
“For three months, I couldn’t send my child any money. The last time he was sick and admitted to the hospital, I had to borrow money just to cover his bills. That period was really tough. All the struggles led to my wife leaving me.”
Broken Crutches, Unbroken Spirit
A prosthetic leg remains a distant dream. His crutches, held together with glue and Sellotape, barely support him.
“My crutches have broken several times,” he says, showing their patched-up frame.
“Sometimes, just getting to match venues is another battle on its own.”
But through it all, Aziz remains determined.
Dreams of a Better Future
Despite his struggles, Aziz is hungry to learn. He dreams of becoming a professional coach and moulding future stars.
“My biggest dream is to study professional coaching. But it’s not easy. You need to know a lot about the game. Coaching children isn’t just about football—it takes intelligence, a strong relationship, and the right guidance to bring out their best,” he explains.
His players, inspired by his resilience, speak highly of him.
“Our coach is a role model. Watching him coach from the touchline motivates us. If it were me, I would have stayed at home,” says Philip, a central forward for Revelation FC.
“I’ve been in this team for three years,” adds Sulemana Abubakar, a centre-back.
“Coach Aziz is very good, especially on the field. He corrects our mistakes so we don’t repeat them and makes sure everyone in the team progresses.”
Journalist Linus Nartey Siaw, who has followed Aziz’s journey, sees his potential.
“I am happy that despite everything, Coach Aziz is defying the odds and pushing his dream of becoming one of the top coaches in Ashaiman and across Ghana,” Linus says.
“I’ve spoken to people who say his tactical brilliance is top-notch. He’s already a licensed D coach and is aiming to move through C, B, and eventually A.”
A Mission Bigger Than Himself
Aziz’s story is about more than personal resilience—it’s about lifting others. Through his team, Young Revelation, he is giving young footballers the chances he never had.
With one leg and an unbreakable spirit, Aziz continues to coach, inspire, and remind us that even when the road is rough, the journey is about moving forward—one player, one match, one dream at a time.