Ghana’s biggest sports TV reality series, MTN Soccer Academy has returned for season two and hundreds of young aspiring footballers have auditioned in Accra, for a spot in the series.

The TV reality series is a soccer event which gathers aspiring footballers between the ages of 17 and 22 to give them the opportunity to showcase their skills and talent to the rest of the world. So who will emerge the next Michael Essien, Suley Muntari or Junior Agogo?

After a nationwide screening process, 14 lucky footballers would be selected and camped in the soccer academy for 85days of training, coaching, grooming, and testing of physical fitness and soccer skills. The 14 lucky finalists would receive training from a team of soccer experts as well as benefit from the tutelage of invited football stars, coaches and other technical assistants. They shall frequently test their skills against established teams in special five-on-five matches among several other interesting activities. Each week one player would be eliminated based on public votes and scores accumulated by the judges based on performances during that week’s activities and overall performances.

The ultimate winner will take home a brand new Hyundai car, GH¢5,000 as well as a training stint with a soccer club in Europe, while the first runner-up also receives a Hyundai car, GH¢200 and a training tour with a European club. Gideon Baah, the winner of the maiden edition had a two week trial at Chelsea FC last December in addition to a contract with then newly promoted premiership team, Zaytuna FC. He, together with some of his other colleagues from the academy, played in the just ended season of the Ghana Premier League.

Gideon says he has really enjoyed the opportunity given to him by the MTN Soccer Academy reality series. He hopes that with determination and hard work, he can become one of the best footballers in the world. The screening process, which started on July 14 in Accra, will soon move to Kumasi, Sekondi, and Tamale for other zonal selections.

According to Keneth Ashigbey, Managing Director of Optimum Prime (OMP), franchise owners of the Soccer Academy format, he has been highly impressed with the turn out for the Accra auditions; and the level of discipline in the players. He also says that there has been a marked improvement in the level of skills and talent displayed by players in this year’s edition. He also hinted that the format would soon be extended across Africa ahead of the South Africa 2010 World Cup.