Ghana’s promising striker Ishmael Addo says next year's African Cup of Nations tournament presents a challenge to him and his young team mates in the national team to prove that Black Stars coach Fred Osam-Duodu and the GFA were right in their judgement in placing their trust in them.
The Hearts of Oak player who emerged goalking in the Star Premiership for the third year running told Graphic Sports last Saturday night that he is looking forward to commanding a regular position in the Black Stars and prove his worth in the January 10-February 10 tournament in Mali, and then take up bigger challenges outside the shores of Ghana, especially in the lucrative European leagues.
“We have been called up while our senior colleagues have been dropped. I don't know what informed that choice, but it is a challenge presented to us the junior players to prove what we are capable of doing,” Addo said, after receiving his Edward Acquah prize for the league's top scorer during last Saturday's Star/GFA Awards Night.
“Everybody would be looking up to us and we have to prove that the choice the officials made is worthwhile and not one of disappointment. I hope things work out fine there so we would prove our point.”
Since his introduction to top-level football three seasons ago, Addo has confounded connoisseurs of the game with his scoring skills and he is one player most defenders want to avoid. Any doubt of his scoring prowess was erased two weeks ago when he won his third consecutive goalking title to equal Dan Owusu's long-standing scoring record. However it seems Ghanaians especially Hearts fans may have seen the last of Addo in the club colours as the youngster is ending his romance in the premiership.
Now he wants to taste the delights of European football next year having received many offers from various clubs, but Addo is unsure of his next destination and is reluctant to be drawn into any speculation.
"I will not play in the premiership again and I'll definitely be leaving next season. But I don't want to talk about where I may be playing now. I prefer to play in any European league; you can't have the luxury of choosing except where the contract takes you," Addo explained further.
Next month's tourney would be decisive in shaping the precocious striker’s future as many scouts and managers of European clubs go on talent hunt in Mali. As his first major competition with the Black Stars, Addo is relishing the prospect of playing in Africa's flagship competition where he has promised Ghanaians something "special".
"Right now I want to secure my place in the team and hopefully when I make the grade to Mali, the nation should expect something special from me".
Looking in his crystal ball, Addo said his career would blossom along the same path as his three-year experience with Hearts has been.
With three league crowns, two FA Cups, African Champions League and Super Cup, plus Golden Boot prize in the 1999 FIFA Under-17 championship, the player's garden looks even greener today. "I'm hoping to maintaining or replicating whatever I have achieved at home. I'm just hoping that I'm successful wherever I find myself playing”, Addo relishes with a natural knack for scoring, Addo attributes his abilities to hardwork, as he always endeavours to go the extra mile after regular training with his Hearts team-mates, and of course the confidence and intuition given him by Africa's No. 1 coach
Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, through whose hands the young striker has evolved into the game's most feared predator.
