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| Kwadwo Poku |
Miami FC’s Ghanaian midfielder Kwadwo Poku says it
will always be an honor for him to wear the national colors and that he has
always been looking forward to getting more opportunities to represent his
country.
Poku, 25, has been handed a late call up by the new
technical team of the Black Stars led by coach Kwesi Appiah as the Ghanaians
prepare for two friendly encounters with Mexico and USA on June 28 and July 1
respectively.
The midfielder’s only appearance for Ghana was on
October 10, 2015 when the Black Stars held Canada to a 1-1 draw in Washington
DC. In that game, Poku played only the last eight minutes but many pundits
concluded after the game that the young midfielder could be useful for the
Stars in the near future.
And according to the player, this may be the time to
prove those pundits right.
“It is always an honor to wear the national colors.
The last time, people saw what I can do even though the time I had was not
enough but people who watched saw what I can do if I get a bigger chance. I
know wearing the national jersey means you have to give your all irrespective
of the nature of the competition”.
He said his desire to play for Ghana is not just
because the team is making a trip to United States where he plies his trade but
he was hopeful that he could represent Ghana in competitive games like the Cup
of Nations or even World Cup.
“I am really looking forward to getting another
opportunity. Not only because the Black Stars are coming to the USA again, but
I am also looking at playing competitive games like the qualifiers, African Cup
and the world Cup. I am always thinking about those games and I am hoping and
praying that one day, it could reach my turn so I can give everything that I
have to help the Black Star”.
Kwadwo Poku admitted that it has been difficult for
players here in North America to break into the national teams because people
back home in Ghana find it hard to watch American or Canadian soccer games due
to time difference but he was hopeful that Ghanaians will spend time to watch
the games here since there are lots of good talents on this side of the world.
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“Back home in Ghana, the mindset about the leagues
here is different. You can understand their point because they don’t get access
to our matches. The leagues here cannot be compared to the Premiership or the
La Liga but I must state that there are lots of good players and good coaches
around the leagues here.
“Also, there are a lot of players in the NASL and
MLS that play for their national teams. Even in the NASL, there are players
playing for Jamaica, Trinidad &Tobago, Mexico and Canada”, Poku added.
For more stories on Ghanaian soccer players in North America, visit Ghana Soccer US
