Team Djejeano-Anafo: Hitting low-key points and future prospect

When a team developed a habit of causing an upset, there is nothing more surprising than falling short of the knockout round of a big tournament.

Djejeano-Anafo came into the finals of the 2012 Indomie Community Dunks with high hopes and ready to be counted among the best on the podium.

Defeats to Burma Camp, Kwadaso were not enough despite their victory over whipping boys James Town in the group phase.

Despite the absence of some two or three players, the Cape-Coast-based side got back on track with a narrow 29-25 success over James Town in their final group game.

But it was too little too late as both of them bundled out at the group phase.

Admittedly it was always going to be a huge task for Anafo to advance from the initial group stage.

The caliber of their opposition made it difficult for pundits to tip them for glory and for the first or second time, the bookmakers were spot on.

Their coach was confident no team in the group was going to find it easy but he was quick to eat humble pie after they were knocked out.

“I must say we came into the finals with a positive attitude but unfortunately we lost grounds,” Anafo trainer Kwakye said

“We met some really good teams. For us it is not about winning, but the idea is to build the potential of these players and groom them to become future stars.

“We want to continue believing that we can reach our target in the next few years.

“The boys are determined and with serious training, the sky will be the limit for them,”

He remains optimistic the side can be successful during the next edition of the competition in 2013.

“Looking ahead, the future is bright. With what I have seen here, I have no doubt in my mind that we will be counted among the best next year.

“The availability of young talents should make the selection process easy for me. We’ll be ready.”

Having a mixture of youngsters, coach Kwakye said,” should give us a mixture of ambition and experience that can compete with the best in the communities in the country,”

His team, Anafo were see as an outsiders in the hunt for the title due to the presence of so many great teams, like fellow ‘Capesters’ Kawanopado, Kumasi-based Kwadaso, Dansoman, Burma Camp and Cantonments.

Led by all-time performer at the Uder-15 level, Benjamin Sagoe, Daniel Owusu and Anthony Duodu at the shooting guard, Kawanopado’s backcourt completely outclassed Djejeano-Anafo in all department during the Central regional exhibition game – in term of size, shooting, basketball IQ, court vision, unselfishness, perimeter defense and finishing at the rim.

In the end, it appeared that Anafo did not have enough offensive firepower to keep up with coach Claudius Thompson’ boys.

They lacked quality, skills and excellent guards to matchup their opponent.

But their star boy Francis Narh proved to be their undisputed hero on the court and will be the focus of attention next year.

He is a positive thinker, intelligent on the ball and quick-silver on the court.

He was able to turn a potentially negative situation into a good thing.

Anafo came with some pride and should be applauded for their effort.