Ghanaian attacker Patrick Twumas
Ghanaian attacker Patrick Twumasi is making waves in the Kazakhstani Premier League for his Club Astana.
The 21-year-old who hogged the headlines in the UEFA Champions League after scoring three goals for his Club has already won four man-of-the-match awards at this Club.
GHANA SPORTS reporter Frank Darkwah caught up with the talented forward in an interview as the player deliberated on his career at Astana as well as his aim of playing for the Black Stars team.
GS: Hello Patrick, hope all is well
PT: Am very good boss and you
GS: How are you enjoying playing at your Club Astana?
PT: Everything is going on well for me and I am enjoy playing time here. It has been good ever since I came here, so I will say so far so good.
GS: How will you rate your performance since joining Astana?
PT: Yea I have improved and I thank God for such an exposure, I am doing my best here in Astana, you know is not easy especially in my first season, I have been through some few difficulties but I have been able to endure them and I’m doing my best to make it to the top, so everything is under control here.
GS: You moved from Russian to Kazakhstan, what propelled you to join Astana?
PT: I was actually playing here in Astana before I got a loan to Amkar in Russia so after I finished serving the loan I decided to return to Astana to continue my football here. I made a choice to come here because I know there in Russia it wasn’t easy. I came back because of one or two things but it has been good ever since I returned to Astana.
GS: What has been your biggest Challenge since you joined Astana?
PT: That will be in the Champions League when we were playing against Benfica, I was one of my difficult games but thankfully I was able to score for my Club.
GS: Talking about the Champions League, will you say you were disappointed in your Club failing to advance past the Group stages?
PT: I was not disappointed, because that was the first time we were qualifying for the UEFA Champions League and I was very happy though I got a suspension for getting a red card and I was banned for six matches I didn’t give up, I came back to play our last two matches against Benfica and Galatasery and I excelled by scoring in those games.
GS: What are your personal targets with your Club this season?
PT: Actually all depends on God, Everything will be determined with my hard work on the field of play and my attitude towards training and I want to help my Club to the top and win the League title again. So I hope this year everything will go well for us.
GS: You scored six goals for your Club last season, are you hoping to better that feat
PT: (Smiles) Football now is not all about goals. In as much as the goals are important I think my contribution to the team is also important as well. For me I just like to help my team achieve results, I am not looking at personal glory. I just want to help my team to get far and achieve good results. Because even if I score 20 goals and my team fail to win the Championship it yields no result.
GS: You still have a contract with Astana but will you be looking forward in playing mainstream European football in the near future
PT: Yes of course, after the Champions League I had lots of offers from some Clubs and nearly joined but I think it depends of my agent, I will try to do my best so I can attract more offers. And if I get a good offer why not, I will move.
GS: You are just 21-years old and eligible to play for both the Black Meteors and Black Stars, How eager are you to earn a call up.
PT: As a Ghanaian I will always be happy to represent my country, but I think it all depends on the technical team, if they watch me and sees am good enough I will sure honour a call-up, so I am ever ready for a Black Stars call-up.
GS: How will you compare football in Ghana and that of Europe?
PT: I played for Red Bulls Soccer Academy before moving to Europe. I think it was different for me when I moved to Europe in terms of their weather and language. It was very difficult. They also really learn on the game and it helps a lot, the facilities here is good and it makes training a little bit easier than that of Ghana.
GS: Any message for your fans back in Ghana
PT: Yea, I will like to tell them to keep supporting me in prayers, I love everything they have been doing for me and I appreciate a lot, a thank them a lot and I promise to give my best to make them happy.
GS: Thank you very much for your time Patrick Twumasi
PT: Thank you also for the opportunity.
