SC Paderborn 07 striker Bernard Tekpetey says his call-up to the Ghana U-23 squad was a surprise to him as he was aiming for a Black Stars return.

Tekpetey has been a mainstay at Paderborn since joining German Bundesliga side Schalke 04 in the summer.

The 21-year-old’s form for the Benteler-Arena outfit has earned him call up into the Ghana U-23 side that is preparing to engage Gabon in the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday.

But the former Unistar Soccer Academy forward confessed that he was expecting his current form to warrant him a place in the senior national team and not the U-23.

“People were talking about me returning to the national team but I was not expecting to be called up for the U-23,” Tekpetey told Sheikh Toufik in an exclusive interview.

“Actually, I think maybe the Black Stars is the level now but no one knows what God has in store for me, so I think me being in the U-23 is another opportunity to show my talent.”

The Black Meteors defeated neighbours Togo 5-1 on aggregate in the last round of the qualifiers.

The winner of the two-legged game qualifies for the competition in Egypt, which serves as the qualifiers for Tokyo Olympic games next year.

Tekpetey has provided 3 assists and scored 10 goals in 28 games in all competition for SC Pardeborn in the ongoing season.