Soccer News of 2012-09-25

Asamoah Gyan joins Atsu praise party

Asamoah Gyan is the latest to hail new international teammate Christian Atsu’s exploits after starring alongside the FC Porto winger for the Black Stars against Malawi. From virtual obscurity, Atsu has risen to become the most talked about Ghana player at the moment after impressing for the national team on his debut against Lesotho in June. A maiden first team start and 90 minutes came against Malawi’s Flames in the first leg Africa Cup 2013 qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium as Gyan also captained Ghana for the first time. Atsu was again not only quick off the mark scoring the opening goal, he also dazzled throughout with his deft touches, leaving everyone including Gyan in awe. “He’s a young lad who has done so well already. I saw his game in Kumasi (against Lesotho) and he did well. He is doing well and if he continues the same way, then the future is very bright for him,” Gyan told 90 MINUTES exclusively. The Al Ain hitman added: “And for the national team, we’ll be very delighted because he can only make us stronger.” Meanwhile legendary coach Sam Arday who nurtured Atsu at an early age at the Gomoa Fetteh Feyenoord Academy, is warning the player not to get swollen-headed and concentrate on working hard to improve. “He should be very careful and not listen to any of the praises because if he doesn’t take care, they will spoil him. These people singing his praises today are the very people who will crucify him if his form suffers so I will urge him to work harder than before because there is still a lot of room for improvement,” Coach Arday told us exclusively.