African champions Esperance prepare to make their Fifa Club World Cup bow on Sunday against Al Sadd in the competition in Japan.

Esperance know that only victory over the Asian champions can set up a dream semi-final clash against Barcelona.

The Tunisian giants won their place at the year-ending Fifa competition after defeating Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca 1-0 in the African Champions League final last month.

Ghanaian defender Harrison Afful scored the only game.

He talks exclusively to MTNFootball.com ahead of their first game at the Club World Cup in Japan on Sunday.

MTNFootball: Congratulations for winning for the African Champions League and for scoring the only goal of the game.

HA: Thank you very much. It was a great night to remember and I really feel honoured. But I will take this opportunity to thank all Ghanaians for their prayers and support and also thank God for my life.

MTNFotball.com: The goal you scored in the final has been talked about a lot especially for a defender to score such a classic goal. Did you mean to score when you entered the box of Wydad?

HA: I think every player in my shoes will feel great to score in such a big game and I thank God for that. I also thank my team mates because I couldn’t do it all alone. I keep watching the goal and still don’t believe I got the goal. I think it was a gift from God.

MTNFootball.com: What has this goal done to your confidence as a player?

HA: Well, the Champions League has really helped me and enhanced my confidence as a player because I’ve played with good and talented players and I’m happy that I have successfully played at this high level with excellence. I have to maintain my form and confidence.

MTNFootball.com: The Fifa Club World Cup starts for Esperance on Sunday when you take on Al Sadd. How much are looking forward to this tournament?

HA: I think this is a dream come true. I’m very prepared and happy to take part in the Club World Cup and also meeting some great players I’ve been watching on television. On our game against Al Sadd we know it is going to be very tough because of the quality of the players they have and the depth of their squad. The fact that there are three top Africans – Nadir Belhadj (Algeria), Abdul Kader Keita (Ivory Coast) and Mamadou Niang (Senegal) – in their squad who have played football at the highest level. This tells us that they are a tough side and we have prepared to take them on and defeat them.

MTNFootball.com: TP Mazembe made Africa proud when they reached the final of the Club World Cup last year. You are definitely under pressure to emulate Mazembe.

HA: We know that a lot of people in Africa expect us to at least match Mazembe’s performance last year and even better their record by winning the title. I want to assure all Africans that we are going into the Club World Cup to fight the honour of the continent. We will fight to ensure that at least we match their record but we know it won’t be easy.

MTNFootball.com: If you win the match against Al Sadd, you will face almighty Barcelona. That must be a very difficult task.

HA: It is difficult but not impossible. We are well determined because we know what we want in future. We are focusing on the match against Al Sadd before we think about Barcelona. People have beaten Barcelona before and it can be done again but I insist first we must deal with Al Sadd.

MTNFootball.com: Following your recent performances, a lot of people have been talking about your return to the Black Stars. Are you interested in this?

HA: I think every Ghanaian footballer is ready to play for the national team so am everything depends on the coach and Ghanaians. So I’m still working hard.

MTNFootball.com: You are in your second year at Esperance and with you playing at the Club World Cup will possibly expose you to more clubs who might be interested in you. Do you intend to stay in Tunis for many more years?

HA: Every player has his own aims for the future. I want to play for one of the biggest teams, in the world in future. But at the moment I’m still under contract with my club and I’m focusing on that first. God knows best for my future.

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