Setting up a colts football team is one of the basic ideas one can opt for in a blink. However, keeping its operation going every time is the most difficult part.

For Roberta Ababio, not only has she been able to set it up, she has also served as the coach of Strong Heroes Football Academy, and has kept it running for the past six years. The academy is located in Amanfro, a suburb of Kasoa.

Roberta has overseen the development of several talents since establishing it six years ago. Strong Heroes play in the Colts tournament at the U-13 and U-17 levels.

She once had a dream of playing football but she never made the cut for it. It was something that motivated her to set up the academy as well as go into coaching, a passion she has developed over the years.

"Coaching is a job I’m passionate about. It’s my dream to be a coach and nurture the next generation of talent to take them to a higher level," Roberta told SuperSport Blitz.

For her, the vision is to be like her idol, Carlo Ancelotti, or even surpass the heights of the Real Madrid boss at some point in her chosen path. While it is an admirable ambition, Roberta faces a significant obstacle in her way.

"I don’t have a license. When I am called to partake in a licensure course, I am willing to go but there are no funds to help me and there’s no support anywhere as well. That is why I have no license but I’m passionate about the job," she continues.

In 2024, she caught the eye of many when she registered her team as one of the competitors for the maiden edition of the Nketiah Foundation's inaugural football tournament, organised by former Arsenal forward and current Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah in collaboration with his management, Elite Project Group.

It was the first exposure of success for Roberta, who aside from being the only female coach in the tournament, guided her side to a second-place finish.

Last year when I met, Roberta, I had very little idea she had been coaching for 6 years.

She tells me about struggles she endures as part of her passion to groom young talents.

Roberta is now calling on the public for support.

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While being their coach, she also carries all of the concerns of her players as she operates as the only bankroller. As a way of ensuring they are comfortable, Roberta is involved in a lot of activities.

"I take care of the players’ education, feeding and even where they sleep," She tells her story as her eyes well up with tears.

"I am a barber and also a hairdresser. I am into shoemaking too. On days that I don’t go to work, my players and I try to fill the potholes on our roads to raise funds for our feeding and other essential needs.

"Most of them have no parents so I’m the one taking care of them. Sometimes, they can go days without food because I don’t have the means."

Her narration is not a staged one. Williams Akuffo, who won the Best Player award at the tournament two years ago, recounts his coach's mentorship as key to achieving his dream of following in the footsteps of the late Black Stars forward Christian Atsu.

"Since coming into the academy, I’ve learnt a lot. I had very little idea about what I could do but my coach has helped me and I’ve developed over the years," the three-year academy member told SuperSport Blitz.

"I want to be like the late Christian Atsu. I loved the way he played football. He was also humble and respectful and played with no anger. I want to be like him and may he rest in peace."

The views of the academy's challenges are shared by U-17 category player Solomon Ohene Nti, who speaks about the academy's challenges that sometimes affect player morale.

"We face a lot of challenges at this academy. She [Roberta] is the one who buys our football boots; she also repairs them when they are faulty. She’s the only person who provides all of our needs. When things are tough, she decides to trim and braid the hair of others to get funds for us," he added.

"My dad used to help me when I initially came to the academy but then he gave up after six months. So it’s been my coach throughout the past two years. Not just me but all the others too.

"Where we sleep isn’t good and about 22 people share one room with just one big bed with the rest finding peace on the floor. Also, we have no designated training pitch and even the water we drink comes with issues but we have no option."

Roberta understands the difficulty of the challenge she has taken upon herself as she has been doing it for the past six years.

But at the moment, she has hit a snag. Roberta is at wits’ end, trying to think about how to convey her message to the world.

Despite difficulties, the team remains hopeful, seeking support to improve their situation as she calls on key figures and influential people to turn their fortunes around.

"I am calling on all and sundry including Tariq Lamptey, Eddie Nketiah, Asamoah Gyan, Mohammed Kudus and Lawrence Ati-Zigi to come to our aid," she says as she sends a rallying cry.

"We are struggling; our feeding, our place of residence and our source of water are all not good. The job is difficult as you all know and without your support, we could be sinking further.

"We appeal to you to come to our aid, everyone who is capable of helping us is welcomed. Please, pay attention to our cries."

Roberta Ababio continues developing talent and is anticipating a breakthrough for the academy.

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