Bashiru Mohammed, a former youth coach of Caleb Yirenkyi, says the Ghanaian midfielder displayed exceptional ability and leadership from the age of eight.
Mohammed first encountered Yirenkyi in 2015 and quickly identified him as a player who could influence matches. Despite his young age, Yirenkyi’s aggressive approach persuaded the coach to use him in the number 10 position.
“I spotted Caleb in 2015 when he was just eight years old, and even at that age, his talent was exceptional. I played him in the number 10 role because of his aggressiveness and his ability to influence the game,” he said.
Speaking on Akoma 87.9 FM, Mohammed said Yirenkyi stood apart from the other children around him. The coach believes the youngster’s early determination was a key part of his development, although he has since noticed a significant change in the way Yirenkyi conducts himself during matches.
Mohammed said he is now struck by the calmness and composure Yirenkyi shows on the pitch, particularly because the player was considerably more forceful in his younger years.
“I am even surprised by how calm and composed he is on the pitch now because he was not like that when he was younger,” he added.
The former youth coach also recalled that Yirenkyi’s influence extended beyond his own performances. After training, the youngster would bring his team-mates together and help them understand how they could improve.
“Even at his age, after every training session, you would see Caleb gathering all the boys and correcting them on their individual mistakes. He was already showing great leadership qualities,” Mohammed said.
Yirenkyi’s route to the Right to Dream Academy was not straightforward, however. Mohammed revealed that he was initially left out when the academy held its first trials.
The coach said he subsequently found a way for Yirenkyi to be included in the squad for the academy’s examinations. Yirenkyi passed those tests, giving him another opportunity to impress when the second trial took place.
“During the first trials when Right to Dream came, Caleb was not selected. However, I managed to include him in the squad for their exams, and fortunately, he passed. During the second trial, he was selected, and from there, the rest, as they say, is history,” he explained.
That second chance proved significant in Yirenkyi’s football development. Having begun playing under Mohammed’s guidance as an eight-year-old in 2015, he progressed through the Right to Dream pathway and went on to make his mark on the international stage.
His football journey has now taken him to the English Premier League, a considerable step from the early training sessions where Mohammed first noticed his talent, aggression and ability to lead those around him.
