Hearts of Oak legend, Ishmael Addo, shared how his supportive mother sacrificed her church contributions as transportation fare for his football training with Auroras.
Addo was a prolific goal-scorer for Hearts of Oak, winning the top scorer award three times.
Despite his father’s opposition to his passion for football, Addo’s mother played a crucial role in his career.
“When I was with Auroras, my mum who was a chorister gives me church contributions or any form of contributions so I can use as transportation to and from training”, he told Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV.
“So, whenever we play games on the weekend and I receive my share of the bonus, I give it back to my mum so she can replace it with the church contribution before she goes to church on Sunday which my dad was never in support.”, he added.
He started his professional football journey with Hearts of Oak in 1998. During his spell with the club, he won the 2000 CAF Champions League and 2001 League, and 2021 Super Cup, four Ghanaian League championships(1997-1998, 2000, 2001), and two Ghanaian FA Cups (1999,2000).
Addo was a key member of the Ghanaian U-17 team and reached the FIFA U-17 World Championship semifinals in New Zealand. He won the golden boot award, scoring seven goals that helped Ghana to an impressive third-place finish.