Kalif Alhassan: ‘I’m with Black Stars in spirit’

*Even though he is still yet to earn a call-up to the national team, US based playmaker Kalif Alhassan insists he is in constant touch and monitors games of the Black Stars whilst continuously praying for their success.

Kalif, son of Black Stars legend George Alhassan, has shone in Major League Soccer (MLS) for Portland Timbers and is keen to follow in the footsteps of his father and replicate same form for the Ghana national team. That is why even if he is not playing, he is always desperate for the Black Stars to succeed.

“First of all, big congratulations to the players and coach for the wonderful result against Lesotho. I followed the match and hoped they would win but they exceeded my expectations with the 7-0 win. I’m happy for them and I want them to know that I’m with them in spirit and hoping that they put in another hardwork to beat Zambia. I’m praying for them,” Kalif told www.sportsinghana.com from his Portland, Oregon base via phone.

After a brilliant start to the 2012 MLS season which saw him score his debut MLS goal and also assist for another strike to power the Timbers to a 3-1 victory over Philadelphia Union in the season’s opening game, culminating in his being named MLS Player of the Week, Kalif Alhassan was unfortunate to suffer a knee injury. He has only just returned even as the MLS has gone on a month long international break, so the attacking midfielder is not overly worried to have been overlooked for the current qualifiers by new Stars coach Kwasi Appiah.

But Kalif Alhassan is praying for his father’s 1982 Nations’ Cup winning teammate to cast his net wider and consider him when next national team call-ups are made. “I’ve always been dreaming about playing for the Black Stars and I can’t wait to get my chance.

“Obviously it will be fantastic to play for my country and I’m looking forward to the day I will be called. I will keep working hard and improving because I have a lot to offer my club and country. I’m looking forward to my call-up,” Kalif is hoping.