Kofi, "The Coffee Man!"

FourFourTwo are hyping up "our Kofi" Danning as he aims to take it to the other Youth Teams in the National Youth League.
Sydney FC's Kofi Danning (right) and Newcastle Jets, Jason Naidovski recently appeared on Nearpost Radio.

The former Majura junior club will be back to earth with a bang when he takes on his Canberra mates, the ACT Youth Rockets, in Sydney this arvo.

Not sure about the nickname, good old Australia I guess never lets you down does it!

And "The Coffee Man" as he's nicknamed perhaps not surprisingly hopes to be in Europe in the future, but right now, establishing himself in the A-League with a senior contract is his goal.

Full fourfourtwo article on Kofi below.




EXCLUSIVE: Meet the future face of the A-League - Ghana-born, Aussie-raised, AIS crafted attacking midfielder Kofi Danning.

The 17-year-old is set to debut for Sydney youth next week - and asked to describe himself, the AIS student says "excitement...

"I think I'll probably play on the right of mid. Yeah, I'm full of steam and excitement," Danning told au.fourfourtwo.com.

With the national youth league kicking off tonight, Sydney FC have a bye in the opening round of the new competition. Sky blue youth take their bow at the SFS the following week against Queensland Roar.

"The fans are going to see teams with young talent, I guess... young kids trying to play like adults."

Danning admits the league is not so much about results but says the games will be exciting and open because the pressure to get three points won't be as great. But it'll still have that edge.

"I want to take it to them. I want to beat them," he said.

The starlet's favourite Socceroo is Tim Cahill and Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien is also a hero. "I haven't really thought about my favourite A-League player though."

And while some fans have bemoaned the lack of African talent in the A-League, a quirk of fate could see a mini influx from within Australia.

Million Butshiire, Kamal Ibrahim. Teddy Yabio. Danai Gaspare. Four talented young Aussie footballers involved with the Joeys over the last year. All four hail from Africa (Congo, Ethiopia, Sudan and Zimbabwe respectively).

"Certainly based on recent trends we have quality young African players in our system now and see no reason why that trend should not continue,' said Ron Smith, who works for the FFA as a technical advisor. "Such players can bring something to our game.

"I guess we bring athleticism and a difference in technique," added Danning.

The youngster will continue to train with the AIS but will turn out for Sydney FC on weekends. However, during the school holidays he may train with the club. A number of AIS students will be doing likewise for various A-League youth teams.

And "The Coffee Man" as he's nicknamed perhaps not surprisingly hopes to be in Europe in the future, but right now, establishing himself in the A-League with a senior contract is his goal.

"Of course I'll be nervous," he says of his Sydney FC debut. "It's a new thing but it'll be a good nervous.

"My message to the fans is to come support us. We're going to try our best to make everyone happy for the team."

And has Kofi met Kossie? "Yeah, he's really straight up and tells you what he wants. But he's nice."