Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo has unveiled the arduous journey of rejection he endured before achieving success in football, disclosing that numerous academies turned him away, deeming him unfit for admission.
The 24-year-old’s football odyssey took an unexpected turn when he found his breakthrough at SGS College, ultimately securing a contract with Bristol City.
His standout performances for Bristol City paved the way for a move to Premier League outfit Bournemouth. Semenyo, reflecting on his challenging football career, candidly shared his trials and tribulations.
“I went to quite a few clubs and was told the same thing that I wasn’t good enough. It’s tough as a kid hearing that,” Semenyo told Sky Sports having been playing Sunday League for local side Kingfisher amid unsuccessful trials with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Millwall.
“Palace hit me hard the most because I was there for so long. My trial got extended and I thought I was going to be signed – and it didn’t happen.
“I remember getting into the car crying and saying to my dad, ‘Why does this keep happening?’. I stopped playing football for a year after that. I didn’t play any sport, I put on a lot of weight. I didn’t think I’d be here, but God works in mysterious ways.”
