[ad_1]
AFC Wimbledon striker, Kwesi Appiah has shed light on his sensational inclusion in the Ghana team for the 2015 Africa Nations Cup (Afcon) in Equatorial Guinea.
The English-born player was undoubtedly the biggest surprise since former Black Stars coach Avram Grant named his final squad for the continental centerpiece.
The former Crystal Palace striker had never played for West Africans until the call, which would spark a fierce media controversy in Ghana.
"By engaging for Crystal Palace, I have strengthened my profile and the members of the Ghanaian organization have started saying," Oh, who is this guy? "And they started to wonder if I could be a future player on the national team," Appiah told the Palace official website official in anticipation of next week's friendly match with his current club.
"They told me that they were going to follow and see how I was progressing. A few years later, I'm on loan at Cambridge United in Ligue 2 for a good season. The team is well and a good round of the FA Cup that just saw us shoot Manchester United for the next round.
"At the time, Ghana had just named Avram Grant and was looking for more European talent and young players he could train during his time on the national team; he was looking for an impromptu talent that could make things happen.
"The meeting with the team of 30 men was quite overwhelming at the time. In the run-up to the tournament, there are two cups at 27, then the last team of 23 players. "
It's certainly a Cinderella story for Appiah, who would make her international debut in a 2-1 win over South Africa in her last group game, before scoring in a 3-0 win over Guinea in the quarter-finals. The Black Stars finished second at the tournament.
"I made the first cup and before the second cup, there are two friendlies. So I went to the manager and said, "My hunger is different from anyone's; what do I have to do to make this final cup? What do you want from me? & # 39; and he simply said: "Show me what you got."
"I scored in the first game and that was all; I was in it, "continued Appiah.
"The team was great but now I was wondering where exactly I was? You have like Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew and Christian Atsu; great players who have played many games for the national team.
"I did not really know where I was at that time, but I knew I was chosen for a reason and that Avram could see my potential, I did not feel any pressure or nervousness, I was just hungry. "
Appiah's international adventure unfortunately did not succeed as planned due to a series of injuries.
In March, the 28-year-old had a recall after four years of national service but failed to win a spot in the team for Afcon in Egypt.
Source link
