Boakye Yiadom focused on Mali clash

Richmond Boakye Yiadom has shifted attention to the national team's next international friendly against Mali on Tuesday, the Italy based striker refusing to be swollen headed by his goal in the defeat to Senegal.

22 year old Boakye scored few minutes after entering the game as a substitute to earn some pride for the Black Stars who trailed the Teranga Lions by two goals in last Saturday's game between the two West African countries in Le Havre, France.

2-1 Ghana will lose but for Boakye who was making a first return to the national team in nearly two years, it was the perfect statement of intent of claiming a permanent place in Avram Grant's side.

The Atalanta striker however refuses to be drawn into any celebratory mood, instead Boakye Yiadom has shifted all focus to the next friendly later today also against fellow West Africans, Mali in Paris.

"Of course I am delighted to score, I give thanks to the Almighty for the opportunity and the goal was an icing on the cake," Boakye Yiadom told Allsports.com.gh exclusively from the Black Stars camp in the French capital.

"But the game against Senegal is already in the past and the focus is on the Mali game because we have to make amends by also winning on Tuesday. We want to do it for the fans," the striker added.

The Black Stars face the Eagles beginning at 18.30 GMT today in the second of two friendly games, the side's first games since losing the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final.