Asante Kotoko defender Rashid Sumaila is optimistic he will make it to the Black Stars again, despite being excluded in Ghana’s final 2013 Africa Cup of Nations squad.

The guardsman said it has been a learning process for him and he is going to continue from where he left off at club level, in order to make it into the national team when another window of opportunity opens.

“I am very happy with the team and the technical staff,” the 20-year-old said. “I have learnt a lot from them. I’m really happy to be part of the national team.”

The Porcupine Warriors’ rear man believes God has been good to him even with the initial call-up and he will like to “give thanks to the almighty God for bringing me to this point.”

Sumaila said: “I have not been included in the team but I will still give thanks to Him. I have comported myself very well in the team and I believe I will get a chance another time.

“I am praying that God will help them to bring the cup back home so that next time when I’m given the chance, I will be part of those who be going there to defend the cup.”

“This will give me a strong challenge to work hard and fight my way back into the team. I’m not going to relax. I’m going to work very hard so that the coach will give me another chance to come back,” he said.

“For this one, I’m not disappointed but rather I will go back and fight hard so that Allah will give me the chance and the strength so that I can fight my way back.”