Senegal's Sonko tips Excel Academy youngsters

PIC: Senegalese soccer player, Ibrahima Sonko (left) talks to the Excel Soccer Academy players at Kyadondo. (Credit: David Namunyala)

FOOTBALL

KAMPALA - The Harlow Town centre back, Ibrahima, Sonko has revived hope among the youngsters at the Excel Soccer Academy during his visit in Uganda.

The Senegalese told the players they can be as prominent as other Ugandan soccer players such as Farouk Miya who plays for Belgian club Standard Liège, Yunus Sentamu playing in Albania and Denis Onyango (South Africa) if they stayed focused.

The 37 year-old added that the only way to achieve their goals is through consistent hard work, disciplined and keeping time.

"No club will sign you on professional grounds if you are not educated. They nowadays consider your education background alongside your talent. So you should try to balance the education and football if you are to become successful," he said.

Senegalese soccer player, Ibrahima Sonko (centre) takes a photo with the Excel Soccer Academy players at Kyadondo. (Credit: David Namunyala)

Sonko who has also played for clubs like Brentford, Stoke City, Hull City, Portsmouth, Ipswich Town and then Turkish side Akhisar Belediyespor was paying a courtesy visit to domestic side Excel Soccer Academy that trains at Kyadondo every Saturday.

He added and questioned the U-10, U-15 and U-19 players over their eating habits as he appealed to them to avoid eating a lot of fatty foods.

"Avoid the over consumption of chips and chicken if they are to become good footballers in the future," he stated.

"Most of you like eating chips and chicken but that is not the best food to the health of a footballer because it contain a lot of fats that could be harmful," Sonko stressed.