I was very thrilled with the outcome of yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) Champions League clash with PSV Eidhoven because it took us an inch closer to the next stage of Europe’s elite club competition.
I came on in the dying minutes of the game and it was good to have played a part in maintaining the lead. My only disappointment was that my compatriot Eric Addo who was part of the PSV team in the first-leg had to sit out the game because of a suspension. He gave me a warm welcome in the previous leg in Holland and I had wanted to reciprocate that gesture.
On the game itself, I really wanted to play a major part in it but coach Zico still thinks I have to recover gradually and I respect him and his decision very much. I have had many e-mails asking why I was brought on so late in the game. To all those who asked that question I can assure you that I will reach the level of fitness the coach requires in due course.
There has been a lot of speculation about my future at Fenerbahce in the Italian newspapers this week, linking me with a return to Italy. In the past few months, I have been linked to several clubs across Europe. Some are true and some outright speculation. The latest speculation in Italy belongs to the last category. I have a contract with Fenerbahce and I respect my agreement with them. Until another club contacts Fenerbahce directly to discuss a move for me, it will remain pure speculation. I have been confronted by anxious Fenerbahce fans here in Istanbul who want to know the truth and I have told them my position. Once again, I want to assure the fans of Fenerbahce that they occupy a special place in my heart and I am still with them.
On the national team front, I have been informed by the vice president of the Ghana Football Association Mr Fred Pappoe that Togo has stepped in to replace Sudan in the four-nation tournament later this month. The GFA has worked hard to ensure that the tournament takes place. I want to thank them for their efforts especially in getting Togo to participate. With the likes of Adebayor, Akoto, Aziawonu and the rest we have one of the strongest teams on the continent. To president Kwasi Nyantakyi, Pap Say and the GFA, coach Claude Leroy and his staff – I have noted your hard work in the past few days and we as players can assure you that we will make sure your efforts are not wasted.
This week I want to single out one of Ghana’s young players for special praise. I have closely monitored the progress of one of the brightest talents of my country. I have always had massive confidence in Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew and the few times we have played together in friendly matches with the Black Stars I have been impressed. I have told him consistently that he has got a bright future ahead of him and on Tuesday night when he played for Marseille in the Champions League game against Porto, the whole world saw what this young lad is made of. His dad, senior Abedi Pele, has made our country proud and I am confident Dede will follow in his father’s footsteps. Along with other guys like Asamoah Gyan, Dramani, Kumordzi, Annan, Tagoe, Vorsah, Nafiu and the rest I am confident that the future of our national team is very bright. I am confident that in the absence of the regular players of the Black Stars, these young players and many others will keep the Ghana flame burning.
I also want to welcome the emphatic statement by the Norway-born Ghanaian goalkeeper Adambathia Kwarasey who has pledged his international future to Ghana. He was bold in the statement and I know he will not be disappointed with the choice he has made. There are thousands of Ghanaians players who were born or raised abroad and I want to assure them that playing for their motherland will enhance their careers and they will have the opportunity to connect with the country. Black Stars players like Hans Sarpei and Francis Dickoh made those decisions and I know they are happy with the choice they made.
I received thousands of e-mails this week and I want to thank all of you for sending them in along with your questions. I am always happy to read from the fans so please keep them coming. I am particularly pleased by an e-mail sent from the 10 young Ghanaians in the US who have started the “I am a black star campaign” with the mission of moving the country forward. It is a very laudable idea and I know that we are all working towards the same goal. I wish them the best of luck with this project.
MC Essien informed me that he has joined DJ Drogba to sing in England to also raise money for charity and to highlight racism. I congratulate them for taking this bold initiative to support the needy. I really want to listen to their song. Maybe they can find a career in music too! I hope Essien can emulate our friend Batman Samini in at least saying Kpoooooiii!
