German Giants Borussia Dortmund, in partnership with Ghanaian Soccer Academy Shooting Stars, is organising a six-day tournament commencing on February 24 and ending on March 1, 2023.

The tournament is to identify and nurture young talents into the Dortmund Academy System.

Ghanaian lower-tier club Shooting Stars initially signed a partnership agreement with German Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund last year.

Subsequently, Shooting Stars under the auspices of the Ghana Football Association hosted football legends from the Bundesliga and Champions League Club, Borussia Dortmund, on a four-day visit to Ghana back in June 2022.

The visit comprised of coaching clinics for young and upcoming footballers, meetings with football partners, and workshops to discuss Borussia Dortmund’s role in Ghanaian football, among other things.

The highlight of the visit to Ghana was a historic football match between Borussia Dortmund greats and a line-up of former Ghanaian and African Bundesliga football legends.

Looking fruitful, the German Giants had a representative come to Ghana once again: Florian Ingwersen. He is the Youth Development Head Coach for Dortmund and arrived in Ghana, yesterday, Thursday, February 23, 2023, at the Kotoko International Airport (KIA) for the event commencing today.

The football tournament will be held at the Achimota School Park consisting of the host Shooting Stars and five other teams; Banana Inn Football Club, Rising Stars, Asanska Football Club, MSK Zilina Africa and Nima City Football Club, powered by Former Borussia Dortmund legend and current Head Coach of Ghana’s Black Meteors and premier league side Accra Lions, Ibrahim Tanko.

Speaking to Class Sports on February 23 – Florian Ingwersen shed some light on the initiative with Shooting Stars.

“The Youth development programme at Dortmund, we are really famous for producing young players to bring them in from around the world and give them the opportunity to take the next step in their careers which will be great to see young players develop at Dortmund.

“Because we are expecting a lot of talents and a lot of passion for football, so Ghana is really famous for having great football talents and the passion for football and also a lot of BVB fans here in Ghana,” he noted.

Ingwersen also revealed the benefits that comes with organizing football tournaments of this nature, especially the partnership between Shooting Stars and Borussia Dortmund.

“We have a great experience working together with Shooting Stars, having the legends game here in Ghana last year, it was a great experience.

“My expectation this time around is to see a lot of passion, a lot of flair for football and also great talents, I am expecting a great level of football and talents.

Ghana boasts of talented players spread all across its 16 regions which has played a vital role in Ghana’s success over major tournaments in the past years, that certainly cannot be said in recent times.

Asked about the profile of players Dortmund are scouting, the BVB Coach Ingwersen revealed they are in search of something unique.

“We are looking for something special, so players with something like a weapon, something that makes them really unique, something that makes them different from other players," he indicated.

Florian Ingwersen further lauded the partnership the Ghanaian outfit Shooting Stars have with his and expressed confidence it will be mutually beneficial for both parties.

“With shooting Stars, we want to share all our knowledge about youth development and make it a fruitful partnership for both ends (Shooting Stars and Borussia Dortmund).

“I am looking forward to hav[ing] a great time here in Ghana,” Ingwersen said.

Shooting Stars Football Club is a professional division two-football club based in Ghana. 

Since 2018, the Club has achieved incredible success and growth in developing young talented boys to become international quality football players. 

The club is designed to give young exceptionally skilled players aged 12-19 the opportunity to be coached by experienced professional coaches.