Soccer News of Friday, 18 April 2014

Source: allsports.com.gh

Black Stars goalkeeping competition hottens

Ghana's goalkeeping conundrum going into the upcoming World Cup just got interesting as another goalkeeper wants in on the action in Brazil.

Daniel Agyei has expressed his desire to be part of coach Kwesi Appiah's squad to be named next month.

The 2009 U20 World Cup winning goalie has made a return from a hernia injury that subjected him to three months on the sidelines, and now finds himself battling to regain his first choice status at the club.

Despite this, the 24-year-old, who recovered last month after a surgery in January, says with regards to getting a call up for Ghana's upcoming World Cup campaign, anything can happen as he aims to return to top form.

"God has always had a way of doing His things through every situation that we face as his kids in this world," a religious Adjei told South African football publication Kickoff in an interview.

“I am not one to complain because the only thing that I can do is to keep working very hard at my game at training. I am staying calm about my situation.

“Of course I still hope to go to the World Cup, but for now my focus is on my job at the club because we are not sitting in a good position."

Free State Stars are currently battling relegation in the South African ABSA Premiership, nine points from safety with five games to go. "We need to get out of this situation as soon as possible but personally for me all I need is that chance again because I feel I have my form back."

Adjei now faces the task of working his way back to the top of the goalkeeping pecking order at Stars, with South African shot stopper Tshepo Motsoeneng now looking like the preferred choice of coach Kinnah Phiri.

After that, he will have to deal with the competition for places at the national team level, with the likes of Aduana Stars' Stephen Adams, Stromgodset's Adam Kwarasey, Balikesirspor's Richard Kingson and Orlando Pirates' Fatau Dauda all in the fray for Ghana's three goalkeeping slots for the impending World Cup.

Adjei has featured in 15 games since joining Ea Lla Koto, conceding 22 goals. He last featured on the 18th of last month (March) in his side's 2-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns, marking his return from injury. He has since missed out on their last four games.

The former Liberty Professionals guardsman was part of Ghana's 2010 World Cup squad, alongside the then first choice Richard Kingson and Heart of Lions' Stephen Ahorlu.

Capped five times with Ghana, he was also a part of the Black Stars' silver-medal winning team at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, as well part of the squad for the 2012 and 2013 editions that followed.