Ghana midfielder Afriyie Acquah says he deserved his full debut despite Sampdoria’s 2-1 defeat at Chievo Verona in the Serie A on Sunday.

The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations revelation was handed a starting role by Sinisa Mihajlovic just days after joining the team from international duty.

The 23-year-old lasted the entire duration on the right side in a three-man midfield alongside Angelo Palombo and compatriot Alfred Duncan.

Acquah was happy with his performance despite suffering defeat in his first match for the Blucerchiati.

“It wasn’t surprising I started because I deserve it judging from my form because the Africa Cup of Nations,” Acquah told Italy-based Ghanaian journalist Akavani Abassinga Andrews.

“It was a tough match because playing against Chievo is always tough because they park the buses, don’t play good football and resort to long balls.

“We’re unlucky to concede an early goal. We played good football but lucky didn’t help us to win.”