Soccer News of Sunday, 22 July 2012

Source: footyghana

Clottey must start for Black Stars - Kuffour

Ex-Black Stars player Emmanuel Osei Kuffour has joined the voices calling for regular game time in the senior national team, the Black Stars for Berekum Chelsea hit man Emmanuel Clottey.

The former Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko midfield kingpin believes the player's exploits in the CAF Champions League and rich vein of form over two seasons in the Glo Premier League, makes him capable of leading the lines on a regular basis for the Stars.

In an interview with Gold Sports, the 2000 CAF Champions League top scorer said, ‘The boy is playing so well and we can all see that. He has been part of the team but has not been getting game time. You look at his competitors and I think he is ahead of them all. He needs confidence and it can only come when he plays regularly for the Stars. He is the top scorer in the Champions League and that says a lot.’

‘He has been consistent for some time now and I feel he is ready to strike regularly for the team. He is not the best striker on the continent currently for nothing. It has happened to me before and I am convinced he has done enough to deserve a starting berth in our national team with all due respect to his competitors.’

Emmanuel Clottey is currently the top scorer in this year’s CAF Champions League with nine goals to his name. This piece of backing from arguably one of the best players to grace the Ghanaian game will come as a major boost as his team goes into a crucial tie against four-time winners TP. Mazembe in Lubumbashi this weekend.