Ghanaian actor and football enthusiast Yaw Dabo has gained widespread attention after refusing to give his own nephew preferential treatment during a scouting exercise organised by the Dabo Soccer Academy in Kumasi.
The academy’s “Justify” selection trials were held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the Atonsu AstroTurf, bringing together several young football talents hoping to impress the academy’s scouts and earn an opportunity to join the programme.
The young players were taken through various assessments designed to test their football abilities, with participants expected to demonstrate their talent, discipline and potential throughout the exercise.
However, one of the moments that attracted particular attention involved Dabo’s own family.
In a video from the event, Yaw Dabo was seen speaking with a woman he identified as his mother. During their conversation, he explained that her grandson — Dabo’s nephew — had not performed at the required level and therefore could not be selected for the academy.
Despite the obvious family connection, Dabo reportedly refused to interfere with the selection process or make an exception for his relative.
His decision has generated discussion among football fans and social media users, with many praising the actor for placing merit above family ties.
Dabo stressed that the academy’s selection process was based on ability and hard work rather than personal relationships.
“The academy is based on talent and hard work, not family connections,” Dabo emphasized.
The incident has also drawn attention to the broader issue of nepotism in football, where players can sometimes be given opportunities because of family relationships, friendships or influential connections rather than their abilities.
By refusing to select his nephew simply because of their relationship, Dabo appeared to send a message to the young players participating in the trials: earning a place in the academy requires demonstrating the necessary footballing qualities.
For aspiring footballers, such opportunities can be important stepping stones towards professional careers. A transparent selection process can therefore help ensure that talented players are not overlooked because they lack influential connections.
The “Justify” trials attracted young footballers hoping to prove themselves, and Dabo’s approach has added another dimension to the event. Rather than allowing a family relationship to influence the outcome, he maintained that players should earn their places through talent and hard work.
The moment has since become one of the talking points surrounding the academy’s scouting exercise, with many seeing Dabo’s decision as an example of why merit-based selection matters in youth football.
Source: Thepressradio.com
