In June this year, David Hockaday, the man who “saved the career” of Antoine Semenyo, revealed to the BBC that the jewel seen today was once lost and rough.

Before meeting Hockaday, Semenyo often thought about giving up football due to his countless failures at academy trials but went on to play all four divisions of English football.

No club ever wanted the Ghanaian international in his teens. To the scouts and coaches, he looked out of sorts and talentless.

Aside from Semenyo’s family, Hockaday recognised the Black Stars of Ghana’s player’s true talent during a trial session at Bisham Abbey at the age of 16.

Today, the lost boy has been voted by his colleagues into the Professional Footballers Association’s (PFA) Team of the Year.

Who would have thought this would happen after getting dumped at the Bisham Abbey trials despite showcasing his skills with the ball on both feet, as Hockaday recalled to the BBC?

“Hunger and belief”, two words that were instilled in Semenyo by Hockaday, have driven him this far—from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College through to the Champions League winners, Manchester City.

Antoine SEMENYO—the football journeyman; the epitome of never giving up; one of many symbols of what strong faith in God will lead to—VICTORY!