JoeTex pledges future to Black Stars

Ghanaian-born Enyimba of Aba forward, Joetex Frimpong, has pledged his future to the Ghanaian national team, the Black Stars, thus denying reports from a Nigerian daily that he wants to renounce his nationality.

The Ghanaian-born forward who has scored two league goals in the five-week old Nigerian Premier League and a goal in the African Champions League made the declaration in an exclusive interview with www.ghanaweb.com in Aba, the base of his Nigeria club.

According to him: "Please tell Ghanaians that my future belongs to the Black Stars of Ghana. I was sad when the report was published that I am dying to play for Nigeria. It's a big lie. How can I tell the reporter that I have Nigerian blood when the whole world knows I am a Ghanaian.

"The fact that I have played all my club football in Nigeria and contributed to the success of my present Nigerian club at home and in the continent does not make me one. I am a Ghanaian and I will forever remain a Ghanaian. I am proud of my roots.

"I was actually invited to play for Nigeria's U-23 National team on the eve of the last All African Games in Nigeria but I turned it down because I belong to Ghana. How can think of playing for Nigeria after wearing the colours of the Black Meteors, Ghana's U-23 team and even scored on my debut? I would always cherish the time I spent with the team when we played Liberia in the Olympic qualifiers and the time with the Black Stars just before the last African Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda. All the players I met in the Black Meteors and Black Stars are great players, both at home and abroad. I am dying to play with them again."

The Ghanaian informed www.ghanaweb.com that he had already received his invitation for this weekend's Nations Cup and World Cup qualifier against Congo Democratic Republic.

"In fact, I am already looking forward to making my debut with the Black Stars this weekend against Congo Democratic Republic. Look at my invitation letter for the game which was sent to me through my club by the Ghana Football Association. I am already waiting for my ticket to Kinshasha via Nairobi from the Ghana Football Association to join the team in Kenya. Ghanaians should count on me to help the Black Stars as I am presently doing for my club," he said.

Despite his long stay in Nigeria where he has won several laurels in the domestic league and the continent, Joetex said he is looking forward to winning a continental silverware with the Black Stars.