Former Asante Kotoko striker Mark Adu Amofah has disclosed embarking on a new career path as a grassroots coach after hanging his boots.
After retiring from professional football due to recurrent injuries, Amofah relocated to the United States and eventually joined the army. Now, armed with a grassroots coaching license from the United States Soccer Federation, he aims to contribute to the development of juvenile football in Ghana.
Amofah’s football journey began in the late 90s when he played for Young Brazillians and Fauzan FC, two juvenile clubs. He then rose to prominence while playing for Real Sportive before making a breakthrough in the Ghana Premier League with Liberty Professionals. His impressive performances caught the attention of Asante Kotoko, where he enjoyed the best spell of his career, scoring 21 goals in 29 matches.
In 2007, Amofah made a move to Bloemfontein Celtics in South Africa, but his time there lasted only 16 months. He subsequently experienced two unsuccessful years in Denmark and Israel before returning to Liberty Professionals in 2011. Frustrated by injuries and seeking a fresh start, he decided to call an end to his playing career in 2014 while at Sitra Club in Bahrain.
Reflecting on his decision to retire, Amofah explained to 3Sports, “There was too much frustration, and at some point, I was going to stop playing football, so I decided I didn’t want to get a serious injury before I stopped playing.”
With a grassroots coaching license acquired in 2021, Amofah now aims to make a difference in Ghanaian football at the grassroots level. He emphasises the importance of balancing education and football, highlighting the need to create awareness that young players can pursue both.
“Gone are the days when we either chose between football or going to school. We are trying to create that awareness that this time you can still play football and go to school and also try to give sponsorship and mentorship to the up-and-coming ones,” he said.
While he has no plans to venture into professional coaching, Amofah seeks to chart a path that offers more than just skill development on the pitch. His goal is to instil values, inspire young players, and shape their overall growth as individuals.
