‘I wasn't even thinking of playing’ - Fatau Issahaku opens up on first Black Stars call-up -

Fatau Issahaku has revealed the unforgettable story behind his first experience with the Black Stars, admitting he never expected to make his debut so quickly after joining the senior national team.

Speaking in an interview, the Leicester City winger recalled the excitement of meeting Ghana's senior stars for the first time after years of watching them from afar.

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"It was amazing seeing them because you only see them on TV. I used to be a ball boy when they played against Togo, so to now have the chance to play with them and spend time with them was just amazing," he said.

Issahaku said the senior players immediately welcomed him into the squad, treating him like a younger brother and helping him settle into life with the national team.

"They took care of me. They gave me some perfumes, gave me some new boots and a lot of good advice. I was just lucky; everyone liked me," he added.

He revealed that the biggest lesson he learned from the experienced players was professionalism.

"They told me to just do my work. You can have fun and do everything, but when it's work time, it's work time. That's what I picked from them," he stated.

Issahaku also shared the emotional story of how he discovered he would be making his Black Stars debut, explaining that he had travelled to camp expecting only to observe and learn.

"I was not even thinking of playing. I just thought I was coming to watch and learn for the future."

However, after the team's final training session, some of the senior players called him aside with surprising news.

"They said, 'Get ready, tomorrow you are playing.' I was so shocked."

The winger admitted he barely slept that night as the reality of starting for Ghana sank in.

"I called my family and my brother and told them they said I'm starting tomorrow. I was so shocked because I'd never been in that situation before."

PAH/BAI