Q&A: New Ghana striker Kwesi Appiah talks about his debut Black Stars call up for AFCON

Published on: 26 December 2014
Q&A: New Ghana striker Kwesi Appiah talks about his debut Black Stars call up for AFCON
Kwesi Appiah

Ghana's leading football news website www.ghanasoccernet.com consistently reported on the exploits of Cambridge United striker  Kwesi Appiah before he was handed a shock invite to the Ghana squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 24-year-old was named in Avram Grant provisional squad for the tournament which came as a surprise to many because he plays in the English fourth tier but because of his exploits readers of Ghanasoccernet.com are not surprised.

The England-born player's first call up came as a surprise but he will be travelling to Spain with the Black Stars for the first time.

Appiah talks to Supersport about his delight over his Ghana call-up as well as his dream of becoming a chartered accountant.

Below if the fill text of the interview:

Supersport: Congratulations on your debut invitation to the Ghana national team. What is the feeling - Are you ready for the challenge(s) ahead?

Kwesi Appiah: I am a professional footballer and I am ready to do my job whenever called upon.

 

Has it been a dream or you were talked into choosing the Black Stars?

I am a proud Ghanaian and my family have been absolutely ecstatic at the news. Of course this is just the start of a very long journey and only time will tell where it will take me.

Supersport: Your inclusion in the Nations Cup provisional squad comes as a huge surprise to many. People hardly know who Kwesi Appiah is. Are you related to the former coach? Tell us a bit about your background.

No, I am not related to him. But it seems my name is Ghanaian as it gets. I started in England in the lower leagues before Crystal palace signed me up. At the time, there were other Premier League teams that wanted me but Crystal Palace is good at developing young players. With the new manager (Neil Warnock), I hope to carry on that development soon.

Supersport: You have been featuring on loan in the lower leagues since signing for Palace. Many will be looking out for what you bring on board. What should we expect?

I love to score goals and I work very hard right until the final whistle. I believe in my ability to score at any level if the chances were given to me. I also like to play a bit deeper and take the ball and do things with it.

Supersport: Can you cope with the pressure? – Ghanaians are very passionate about their team...

When you are a professional footballer pressure is what comes with the territory. The fact that it may be for my country only makes it more important and exciting. I’m not one to shy away from anything.

Supersport: In what striking role do you thrive most?

I can play as a number 10 or 9. But if the coach wanted me to play at right back to help the team out I will be happy just to be on the pitch.

Supersport: Are you in touch with some of the Black Stars players or it will be first time meeting them when you join camp?

I haven’t really come across them apart from Michael Essien when he was at Chelsea so it will all be new to me but it seems like a good group of players.

Supersport: You are a chartered accountant?

I am studying to be one as I love working with numbers and I’m also looking for life and career beyond football.

Supersport: How do you combine it with football?

I do my studies at home and the coach has been very great when I have needed to go and do the exams. So far so good.

Supersport: The national team has had quite a number of players of mixed descent in recent years and have hardly stayed in the team for long. Do you think you can be an exception?

Only time will tell. It’s up to me to show the coach that I am worthy of a spot in the final squad and then show him and the nation that I have what it takes to carry the burden of putting the goals away.

Supersport: Do you speak or understand any of the Ghanaian languages?

Yes. But it will improve when I’m spending more time in the country and with the players.

Supersport: This past week, Cambridge admitted that it is unlikely you will be at the club beyond January due to offers pouring in for you. Are you moving up the ladder to a new club this winter?

Crystal Palace are my parent club and they are in the Premier League and that’s where I believe I can do the job. They will decide whether I stay with them or go somewhere else but there has been a lot of interest but for now I will be focusing on whatever the challenge is with Ghana after the busy Christmas games in the UK.

I look forward to doing the nation proud if given the opportunity.

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