Young Ghana international Opoku Agyemang will forever remain grateful to the nation’s football chiefs for giving him the opportunity to play at the CAF African Cup of Nations. Agyemang was one of eight members of the world-beating Black Satellites of 2009 who got romped into the senior national team for Ghana’s recent Angola 2010 exploits.

Like fellow U-20 World Cup winners Andre Dede Ayew, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Samuel Inkoom and even Dominic Adiyiah however, Opoku Agyemang took the opportunity by the scruff of the neck. Talent, aggression, bravado, guile, Opoku Agyemang exhibited all tormenting defenders as if he had been playing at the African Cup of Nations all his life. It meant that at 19, Opoku has already achieved what many footballers spend their whole careers chasing and has also already played in the final of the Nations Cup.

But Agyemang says all these wouldn’t have been possible but for the confidence reposed him in by the national team’s technical handlers and chiefs. “I am grateful to the coach, I’m grateful to my colleagues as well as Ghanaians for the opportunity to play for my country. Not many people get this chance in their whole lifetime but thanks to Ghanaians for having belief in me, I was given this great chance to do for my country what I do best,” an obviously gratified Opoku Agyemang said in an interview.

But Opoku Agyemang has since returned to Qatar and to Al-Sadd where he plies his club football. Though many top European clubs have inquired about securing the speedy youngster who can play anywhere in attack, Opoku has started training with Al-Sadd and will soon warm his way back into action in the league. But the 19 year old who was a key feature in the Black Stars’ qualification to the 2010 FIFA World Cup has a keen eye as well on the global football showpiece in South Africa in June.

Having already played at both the U-17 and U-20 FIFA World Cups, stepping unto the big stage in SA 2010 will complete the unique legend of Opoku Agyemang, even at this tender age. And it is an opportunity he relishes and can’t wait for. “My joy is always at its highest when I put on the Ghana shirt, I forget everything else and just play my heart out. I am ready to die for Ghana and I’m ever prepared to do same always when I am called up,” Opoku Agyemang stated.

Source: Prince Dornu-Leiku