MJ Opoku, a rising star from Toronto, Ontario, with proud Ghanaian-Jamaican roots, was impressive on the international stage at the inaugural Under-12 Norwich City Mina Cup in the UK.
Playing for Toca Pro FC, Opoku’s goals played a pivotal role in helping his team advance to the Gold Cup semifinals and placing in the top four teams against some of Europe’s most prestigious football clubs. Representing Canada, Toca Pro FC’s youngsters took on European football powerhouses and delivered one stunning performance after another.
Playing in multiple positions, Opoku and his team displayed defensive dominance, conceding only one goal in two group stage matches.
When asked what the highlight of the tournament was for him, Opoku said it was scoring a goal against Liverpool FC 1-0 and the hosting team Norwich FC 1-0.
Facing off against top European academy teams such as Chelsea, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal and host Norwich City FC, Toca Pro FC recorded a string of impressive victories. They beat Chelsea 1-0, Liverpool 1-0, Borussia Dortmund 2-0, Norwich FC 1-0 and held Arsenal to a draw, securing the top spot in their Gold Division group and advancing to the semifinals.
In a heart-pounding semifinal match, Toca Pro FC battled Leeds United, where the game came down to a nail-biting penalty shootout. Leeds eventually edged out Toca Pro FC, claiming their spot in the final and going on to win the championship against Feyenoord.
Although Toca Pro FC didn’t take home the trophy, their incredible journey solidified them as a team to be reckoned with. Despite being the underdogs, placed in the “group of death”, their passion, grit and Canadian spirit propelled them through the tournament, winning seven out of eight matches and allowing only one goal throughout the competition.
Head coach and owner of Toca Pro FC, David Velastegui, couldn’t be prouder of his team’s accomplishments:
“As the head coach and owner of Toca, I want to express how proud I am of these young Canadian athletes. This was a significant test to measure their abilities against some of the top academy teams in Europe. They not only demonstrated remarkable technical skills but also displayed the hunger and determination to compete at the highest level. I am truly excited about the future for these boys. Their success in dominating the Canadian soccer scene, and now with these results, proves that we are ready to take on the world.”
This tournament plays a crucial role in the development and scouting of Canadian players, as there was significant interest and many inquiries about these young talents. It also provides the kids with an important benchmark, helping them understand where they stand and what they need to improve on to compete and excel at the highest level when they return to Canada.
Looking ahead, the future is bright for this fearless squad. In 2025, they will continue their international journey, competing in South America and Spain, where they will undoubtedly be ready to challenge the world’s best once again.
Chris Brown, founder of the Mina Cup, expressed his excitement for the future of the tournament:
“We were delighted with the inaugural Mina Cup UK given the level of teams that took part from all over the world including a number of the biggest clubs in England and Europe and by the seamless organization and elite level facilities provided by our partners Norwich City FC,” said Brown.
The level of the tournament and exposure gained will help build the brand of the Mina Cup across the world with Dubai and the UAE as its birthplace.”
