Dreams F.C.

For the football club in Hong Kong that formerly used this name, see Hong Kong Sapling.

Dreams Football Club

Full name	Dreams Football Club
Nickname(s)	Still Believe
Founded	2009;15 years ago (2009)
Ground	Dawu Sports Stadium [1]
Capacity	5,000
President	Mohammed Jiji Alifoe
Manager	Abdul-Karim Zito
League	Ghana Premier League
2022–23	6th
Website	www.dreamsfc.com.gh
Home colours Away colours
Current season

Dreams Football Club is a Ghanaian professional football club founded in 2009 and based in Dawu in the country's Eastern Region that competes in the Ghana Premier League. ^{[2] [3]} On 18 June 2023, they won the FA Cup to gain entry into the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time in their history. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7] [8]}

History

Dreams Football Club was founded in 2009 in Kweiman by the current president of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku, and changed base locations twice; Madina and currently at Dawu. ^{[9] [10]}

On 6 January 2017, former Bechem United coach Manuel Zacharias was appointed technical director of the club ^[11]

Abdul-Karim Zito has been club's manager since the 2022–23 season, serving for the second time having previously managed them from 2018 to 2020. He also previously managed rival league club Asante Kotoko and the Ghana U-20 team, the latter with which he won the 2021 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. ^[12]

Having been below the Ghanaian top-flight since formation, including two seasons in the Division One League, Dreams FC were promoted to the Ghana Premier League for the first time in their history for the 2016 season. ^[13] However, the Ghana Football Association demoted the club back to Division One in late 2016 after its the Disciplinary Committee found an anomaly with the registration of a player. ^{[14] [15] [16]} On 18 June 2023, they beat King Faisal won the Ghanaian FA Cup to gain entry into the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time in their history. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7] [8]}

Debut continental campaign

Further information: 2023–24 Dreams F.C. season

Having gained entry to the CAF Confederation Cup with their FA Cup win, executives within the club expressed worries and personal frustrations about financial constraints heading into and throughout their inaugural African campaign which have been publicized. ^{[17] [18] [19]} Nevertheless, Dreams F.C. were drawn to play Guinean club Milo FC ^{[20] [21] [22]} in the first preliminary round and the winners of AS Douanes of Niger and Kallon FC of Sierra Leone in the second preliminary round for a place in the group stages on 25 July 2023. Dreams beat Milo FC 3–2 on aggregate (1–1 draw at the General Lansana Conté Stadium in Conakry ^{[23] [24] [25]} and 2–1 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, where their CAF campaign would be based). ^[26] They secured a 3–2 win on aggregate against Kallon, whose first qualifying round opponents AS Douanes withdrew due to the Niger conflict, 2–1 at home ^{[27] [28] [29]} and a 1–1 draw away at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex stadium in Paynesville, Liberia to confirm their place in the group stages. ^[30]

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Dreams FC	6	4	0	2	11	7	+4	12 [a]	Advance to knockout stage
2	Rivers United	6	4	0	2	10	8	+2	12 [a]
3	Club Africain	6	3	1	2	9	4	+5	10
4	Académica do Lobito	6	0	1	5	6	17	−11	1

Source: Flashscore
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Notes:

1. Ranked on goal difference: Dreams FC +4, Rivers United +2.

In the knockout stages, Dreams FC were drawn with Malian side Stade Malien and the winner of Egyptian teams Zamalek SC and Modern Future FC for a place in the final. ^[31] The defeated Stade Malien 3–2 on aggregate (2–1 away at the Stade du 26 Mars ^[32] and 1–1 at home ^[33] ) to secure their semi-final spot and receive $750,000. ^[34] Their journey would however come to an end with Zamalek eliminating them and Modern Future on aggregate; in the case of Dreams a 3–0 away win in Kumasi despite Dreams holding them to a goaless first-leg draw in the first-leg. Overall, their cash flow from their participation amounted to $1.2 million (GHS21 million) and their participant points acumulation coupled with Medeama SC's qualification for the group stage of the CAF Champions League raised Ghana's CAF club ranking from 27th to 14th, just 2 places shy of 12th, where the country could have entered two teams in those CAF club competitions. Their run as defending champions in the FA Cup was brought to an end by Bofoakwa Tano as they defeated them 2–1 at the semi-finals. ^{[35] [36] [37] [38]}

Kit sponsor

On 7 October 2016, Dreams FC signed a 3-year kit sponsored deal with Nike ahead of the 2016 Ghanaian Premier League season. ^[39] Since the 2020–21 season, the team is sported with jerseys and kits manufactured by Mayniak Sports Wear. ^[40]

Roster

First team

As of 26 September 2023

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK   GHA Godfred Amoah 5 DF   GHA Kingsley Owusu 6 MF   GHA Victor Oduro 7 FW   GHA Adamu Amadu 8 MF   THA Farhadu Suleiman 9 FW   GHA Kwaku Karikari 10 MF   GHA Abdul Fatawu Issahaku 11 FW   GHA Agyenim Boateng Mensah 12 FW   GHA Ibrahim Issah 14 DF   GHA Abdulai Ibrahim 16 GK   GHA Solomon Agbesi

No. Pos. Nation Player 17 DF   GHA Habib Mohammed 18 GK   GHA Augustine Koomson 19 FW   GHA Huzaf Ali 20 MF   GHA Simba Sylvester 21 DF   GHA Abdul Jalilu (captain) 23 DF   GHA Maxwell Arthur 24 FW   GHA Musibau Aziz 25 DF   GHA Issah Yakubu 31 DF   GHA Abednego Asafo 32 MF   GHA Sadat Mohammed 32 FW   GHA Abdul Aziz Issah

Coaching staff

Position	Name
Manager	Abdul-Karim Zito
Assistant manager	Winfred Dormon
Team manager	Kofi Akosa Agyei-Aygeman
Goalkeeping coach	Raymond Faney
Physiotherapy	Jibril Uthman
Masseur	Haruna Seidu

Managerial history

Dates	Name
2018–2020	Abdul-Karim Zito [41]
2020–2021	Winfred Dormon
2021–2022	Vladislav Virić [42]
2022	Ignatius Osei-Fosu [43] [44] [45]
2022–present	Abdul-Karim Zito

Management

Position	Name
President	Mohammed Jiji Alifoe
Vice-president	Prince Abdul Hamid
Administrative Manager	Ameenu Shardow [46]
General Manager	Ameenu Shardow [47] [48]
Deputy General Manager	Enoch Agyare Addo
Substative Manager	Winfred Dormon [49]
Head, Dreams Media	Derrick A. Okraku
Community and Supporters Relations Manager	Alhaji Yussif ‘Cliff’ Iddrisu
Finance officer	Theresa Nelly Slippi- Mensah
Administrative Secretary	Augustina Afful

Youth team players

The youth team section of Dreams F.C. has produced players such as:

• John Antwi, currently a first-team regular at Dreams FC.
• Baba Rahman of Chelsea and Reading on loan in England, now playing for PAOK of Greece
• Benjamin Tetteh, previously of Sparta Prague in the Czech First League, now at French club Metz.
• Leonard Owusu of Vancouver Whitecaps in the Major League Soccer.
• Montari Kamaheni of Ashdod in the Israeli Premier League.
• Emmanuel Lomotey, formerly of Villarreal B and on loan at defunct club Extremadura of Spain, now at Malmo FF in Sweden, playing on loan at Ethnikos Achna of Cyprus
• Lawson Bekui, previously played for AC Kajaani in Finland, now at Al-Entesar Club in Saudi Arabia.
• Samuel Alabi, previously of Ashdod in the Israeli Premier League, now at Luzern, playing on loan at Baden in the Swiss Super League
• Emmanuel Sowah Adjei, previously played at Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League. ^[50]
• Abdul Aziz Issah, currently on loan at FC Barcelona Atlètic, the feeder or second team of FC Barcelona ^{[51] [52]}

References

1. "Promoted Dreams FC settle on Dawu Park as home ground for Ghana Premier League matches". Ghana Soccernet. 15 October 2015. Archived from the original on 23 May 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
2. "Dreams FC appoint Manuel Zacharias as Technical Director". Pulse Ghana. 6 January 2017. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
3. "Asante reveals reason behind his move to Dreams FC". Goal.com . Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
4. "MTN FA Cup: Dreams FC beat King Faisal to win maiden title". MyJoyOnline.com . 18 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
5. "Dreams FC lifts MTN FA Cup with King Faisal win". Ghana Football Association . 18 June 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
6. "MTN FA Cup: Dreams FC crowned winners after beating King Faisal". Today News Ghana. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
7. "Dreams FC beat King Faisal to clinch 2022/23 MTN FA Cup". ModernGhana . 18 June 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
8. Donkor, Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor (18 June 2023). "MTN FA Cup dreams come alive for Dreams FC". Graphic Online. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
9. Gyimah, Edmund Okai (13 February 2014). "Dreams FC – Ghana's hub of exceptional football talent". Goal.com . Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
10. "Dreams FC: Ghana's sole representative in TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup knockout stages". CAFOnline.com . 29 March 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
11. Yeboah, Thomas Freeman (6 January 2017). "Dreams FC appoint Manuel Zacharias as Technical Director". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
12. "Bring back the reserve league - Karim Zito". GhanaWeb . 6 December 2015. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
13. "Dwarfs and Dreams F.C qualify for Premiership". MyJoyOnline.com . 23 August 2015. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
14. "Dreams FC demoted to Division One, Tema Youth promoted over". GhanaSoccernet. 30 November 2016. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
15. "Dreams FC accepts Division One demotion". Graphic Online. 13 December 2016. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
16. "Dreams FC demoted to Division One, Tema Youth promoted over". GhanaWeb . 30 November 2016. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
17. "Dreams FC express financial concerns over CAF Confederation Cup participation". Ghana Soccernet. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
18. Osei, Ebo (2 April 2024). "CAF Confed Cup: "We thought going to Africa will be counterproductive" - Dreams FC". Citi FM . Retrieved 7 April 2024.
19. Koranteng, Daniel (2 April 2024). "CAF CC: We almost opted out due to financial reasons - Dreams FC General Manager". MyJoyOnline.com . Retrieved 9 April 2024.
20. "Dreams FC draw Milo FC in CAF Confed Cup". Graphic Online. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
21. Forson, Enoch Fiifi (25 July 2023). "Dreams FC to play Guinea's Milo FC in CAF Confederation Cup". 3News . Retrieved 1 August 2023.
22. "FA Cup champions Dreams FC paired with Milo FC in Confederation Cup". Ghana Football Association . 25 July 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
23. Baidoo, Lawrence Degraft (19 August 2023). "CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams FC play out 1-1 draw with Milo FC in first-leg clash". MyJoyOnline.com . Retrieved 29 August 2023.
24. Osei, Ebo (25 July 2023). "CAF Confed Cup: Dreams FC draw Guinea's Milo in first round". Citi Newsroom . Retrieved 23 August 2023.
25. "CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams FC secure impressive draw in Guinea against Milo de Kankan". Ghana Soccernet. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
26. Degraft-Baidoo, Lawrence (28 August 2023). "CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams come from behind to beat Milo FC, book place in next round". MyJoyOnline.com . Retrieved 1 September 2023.
27. "TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup: AFAD surprise SOAR, Dreams FC take control". CAFOnline.com . 16 September 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023. Ghana's Dream FC came from behind to overcome Kallon FC of Sierra Leone 2-1 at home, ...
28. Karim, Adamu Benin Abdul (16 September 2023). "CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams FC edge Kallon 2-1 for first-leg advantage". MyJoyOnline.com . Retrieved 1 October 2023.
29. Appiah, Samuel Ekow Amoasi (15 September 2023). "CAF CC Prelims: Dreams FC record slim 2-1 win over FC Kallon in first leg". ModernGhana . Retrieved 1 October 2023.
30. "Dreams FC secure CAF Confederations Cup group stage spot after eliminating Kallon FC". GhanaWeb . 30 September 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
31. "Egyptian derby headlines TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-Finals". CAFOnline.com . 12 March 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
32. "Antwi brace inspires Dreams FC to sensational away win over Stade Malien". CAFOnline.com . 31 March 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
33. "Debutants Dreams FC to fly Ghanaian flag in TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Semi-Final". CAFOnline.com . 7 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
34. Fentuo, Tahiru Fentuo (9 April 2024). "CAFCC: Dreams FC guaranteed $750K for reaching semis". MyJoyOnline.com . Retrieved 9 April 2024.
35. Forson, Enoch Fiifi (12 May 2024). "Bofoakwa Tano upset holders Dreams FC in MTN FA Cup". 3News . Retrieved 13 April 2024.
36. Baidoo, Lawrence Degraft (12 May 2024). "MTN FA Cup: Bofoakwa Tano beat Dreams FC to set up final against Nsoatreman". MyJoyOnline . Retrieved 13 May 2024.
37. "Bofoakwa Tano beat Dreams FC 2-1 in extra time to reach the FA Cup final". GhanaWeb . 12 May 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
38. "Dreams FC crash out of MTN FA Cup after extra time heartbreak vs. Bofoakwa Tano". GhanaSoccernet. 12 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
39. "Dreams FC in talks with Nike over three-year kit sponsorship deal - reports". Ghana Soccernet. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
40. "Official: Mayniak named kit partner for 2020/21 season". Dreams FC. 13 November 2020. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
41. Tamakloe, Isaac Ganyo (20 April 2022). "EXCLUSIVE: Karim Zito hints on a new coach for Dreams FC". Ghana Sports Page. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
42. Appiah, Samuel Ekow Amoasi (8 February 2022). "2021/22 GPL: Dreams FC part ways with head coach, Vladislav Viric". ModernGhana . Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
43. Kwafo, Eric Nana Yaw (24 April 2022). "Dreams FC appoints Coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu as new manager". ModernGhana . Retrieved 23 January 2022.
44. "Ignatius Osei-Fosu appointed new Dreams FC head coach". Ghana Soccernet. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
45. "betPawa PL: Ignatius Osei-Fosu to quit as Dreams FC head coach". Adom FM . 14 December 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2023. However, Osei-Fosu has confirmed he won't return to take charge of the team with Abdul Karim Zito expected to take over from him.
46. "OFFICIAL : Former Ghanasoccernet reporter Ameenu Shardow appointed Administrative Manager of Dreams FC". Ghana Soccernet. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
47. "Former GHANASoccernet writer Ameenu Shardow named new Dreams FC General Manager". Ghana Soccernet. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
48. "Dreams FC appoints Ameenu Shardow as General Manager". GhanaWeb . 24 October 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
49. Kwafo, Eric Nana Yaw (18 June 2019). "Dreams Fc Appoints Winfred Dormon As Substantive Manager". ModernGhana . Retrieved 23 July 2022.
50. "Belgian giants Anderlecht snap up Ghanaian defender Emmanuel Sowah Adjei on one-year deal". Ghana Soccernet. 19 November 2015. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
51. "Aziz Issah to join Barça Atlètic on loan". FC Barcelona . 3 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
52. "REVEALED: Barcelona paid 1 million euros for Ghanaian winger Abdul Aziz Issah". Ghana Soccernet. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.

External links

• Official website (currently unresponsive)
• Dreams F.C. at WorldFootball.net
• Dreams FC on Soccerway
• Club profile (archived) at Weltfussball Archiv
• Club profile (archived) at Sport5050