Reflecting on a pivotal moment in his career, Felix Afena Gyan unveiled a remarkable encounter with his former AS Roma coach, Jose Mourinho.
After Ghana secured a triumphant qualification for the 2022 World Cup by defeating Nigeria, Afena Gyan reminisces about the profound impact of Mourinho’s motivational words on himself in front of his then teammates.
The striker from Cremonese vividly recalls the instance when Mourinho praised him in front of his colleagues, commending his exceptional work ethic and relentless pressing on the field against the Nigerian team in both matches.
“I remember when I returned to Roma, Mourinho gathered the team and pointed at me, saying, ‘You see this guy? He runs like an animal. Alone, he pressed everybody. If you don’t do this here at Roma, I will kill you,'” Afena Gyan recounted in an interview with Saddick Adams on Youtube, with a mixture of pride and amusement.
Mourinho’s words served as a powerful source of motivation for the entire squad, underscoring the significance of unwavering dedication and wholehearted engagement in order to attain success.
Despite playing a significant role in Ghana’s qualification for the 2022 World Cup, Afena Gyan did not secure a spot in the final 26-man squad for the tournament held in Qatar.
The 20-year-old has featured 7 times for the Black Stars, netting one goal.
SOURCE: Sylvester Anane
