By Akyereko Frimpong Manson
Follow Akyereko on Twitter: @AkyerekOfficial
Ghana midfielder Afriyie Acquah has credited Parma manager Roberto Donadoni for his rise in form and is confident of making the cut for Ghana's final squad for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
The 22-year-old powerful midfielder was named as part of a provisional 26-man squad by Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah on Monday afternoon which will be trimmed down to 23.
Acquah beat expectations to break into the Parma first team after returning from a torrid spell in the German Bundesliga with TSG Hoffenheim and has made as many as 26 Serie A appearances for the Gialloblù who are in strong contention to secure European action next season.
He reveals the Italian gaffer sat him through in a one-on-one meeting upon his arrival at the Stadio Ennio Tardini and motivated him to work towards success.
"When I returned from Germany he sat me down and explained to me one on one that if I'm to play regular I have to work hard and I think it has yielded fruits for everybody to see," he told Accra-based Happy FM.
But the ex-Bechem United combative midfielder is confident he fly out to Brazil with the final team.
“Naturally I’m very delighted that I’ve been called up. I think it’s a reward for hard work and I hope to prove my mettle,†he said