Ghana international midfielder Afriyie Acquah has returned to the Black Stars selection for the first time since the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations where Ghana reached the Round of 16. The in-form midfielder – who has scored two goals in nine matches this season – has granted an exclusive audience to SPORTSWorldGhana.com from his base in Turkey as he speaks for the first time following his late call-up to the national team.
The Yeni Malatyaspor deputy captain is playing well in the Turkish league prompting C.K Akonnor to hand him a late invitation for the 2021 AFCON qualifying double-header against Sudan on the 12th and 17th of November.
On his return to the national team
“Anytime that I am invited to play for the national team I am always happy. The feeling is always great and I know that many Ghanaians appreciate my inclusion in the Black Stars because I always try to give my best to help the team. I am extremely happy to be back.”
On what we should expect from him in the Sudan games
“I always try to do my best for the team. I am going to do the same job I have been doing for the team. To play well and help the team win the game. I want to help the team to qualify for the AFCON as we try to win the tournament this time around. We reached the finals in 2015 and have made couple of semifinals appearances and now the most important thing for us is to try to win the AFCON for our country. This is what I am looking forward to achieve with the team.”
On his hot form in Turkey
“I always try to improve and I must say this is as result of hardwork and the will to keep on getting better. I hope to do even better than this. We have a very good group and we always want to win and that mentality is helping us”
On Asamoah Gyan return to the Ghana Premier League
“When I heard that Gyan has joined the Ghana Premier League again I was so happy for him because I think this is going to help make the league more interesting. When you look at the career of Gyan he has done amazing things and he comes to the league with a huge personality. This is my dream also. One day when I feel that I have had enough of European football I want to come to the Ghana premier league and have a feel of it before I call time on my football career. As you know I never played in the Ghana premier league or even the Division one and so it is my dream to also do what Gyan has done now. ”
On which Ghana Premier league club he will play for in the future
“I am a B. A United fan through and through. My family is a B.A United one but you know they are currently not in the elite league. In future when I decide to come back to Ghana to play in the top-flight I will consider B.A United first if and only they are in the elite league. If United is in the league then straight away I go there. Otherwise the club that I dream to play for in Ghana is Asante Kotoko. Kotoko is that club that I want to play for one day. This is my dream also and so I congratulate Gyan and wish him all the best at his new club”
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