Godwin Attram claims he has scored more goals than any other Ghanaian player abroad

 It is Thursday evening at the Derby Royal Hotel in Accra and the former Accra Great Olympics player is in a relaxed mood. The FC Smouha midfielder has been talking close to an hour about his lust for the game that urged him on and looks back at youth football back in the days.

Attram beams as he tells the story of a three-week holiday lay-off which has been quite exciting: “When we come back home for the holidays we try to entertain people who don’t normally see us play for our clubs outside. I’m the one who put together most of the friendly and charity games. We enjoy it so much but in all these we remember that we are supposed to be on holidays and not to play football. But what can you do? That is how we grew up so our clubs understand. We just have to be careful and play while on holiday because an injury while on holidays could come with a lot of repercussions. After six to seven months when you come back you enjoy with the family.”

The only surviving member of the Ghana 1997 U17 squad found former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah and himself trying to prove a point to fans who watched the Jones Attuquayefio Charity Game: “For us it was quite competitive because we wanted to prove a point to people who have issues with our ages. We showed that we still have what it takes to feature for the Black Stars. Appiah, Laryea and I really proved a point that day.”

He says he still expects to receive a call from Ghana Boss Kwesi Appiah one of these days: “If I get the chance to come back to the Black Stars one day I will prove a lot of people wrong. I still have three or four years more to play active football and I’m still dreaming of playing at the 2014 Mundial. I believe strongly that if Kwesi Appiah should base his selection on form and experience I will be part of the squad. Because I’ve never been lousy and I am not lazy.”

His mind drifted back to his days at Great Olympics as a sensational youngster that led to him to a scout recommending his to PSV Eindhoven: “I have great memories of my days from Greater Accra colts to Olympics. From the first day Coach John Eshun handed me my premier league debut I worked as hard as I could. I was playing against Kotoko in a league game when a scout saw me and took me to PSV.”

“Our training with the U17 was rigorous and sturdy. We were camped together with all the national teams at Winneba so we had a focus and that good mental toughness. Because we learnt a lot of things from the seniors and that ingredient is missing from our players this time around. I think the GFA should device ways and means to reintroduce that system.”

There is a great telepathy that exists between Attram and Laryea Kingston: “I have played with along with many players at both club and national team but I love the telepathic understanding between Laryea and myself. We started colt football together, played at Olympics and then in the national team.”

Playing from midfield, Attram makes an astonishing claim: “I eat and drink goals. If I play and I don’t score I don’t see the essence of the game. I have scored more goals than any other Ghanaian player abroad. Even at Al Shabab alone I scored more than 70 goals. I won the goal king title twice and finished second. I scored even more goals with the PSV team B. Then in Tunisia.”

There is a modest believe for the experienced midfielder to give his career the red carpet at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil: “It is my dream to play at the 2014World Cup because I have played at the World Cup at the junior level. I have what it takes to represent my country at that stage so I’m hoping I get the opportunity to prove a point.”