In-from Asante Kotoko striker Abdul Fatawu Safiu says his invitation into Kwasi Appiah’s 29-man provisional list of players to be selected for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations did not come as a surprise to him because he worked very hard for it.
The Porcupine Warriors striker was last week included in the Black Stars’ 29-man provisional list for the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
Three home-based players namely Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Felix Annan, striker Abdul Fatawu Safiu and Heart of Oak’s Mohammed Alhassan made the preliminary squad for the continental showpiece.
”I was very happy when I heard my name was in the list, it was very emotional for me.” He exclusively told SportsworldGhana.com in an interview after Otumfuo’s Cup win against Asec Mimosa on Sunday.
The former Portland Timbers forward joined Asante Kotoko from Techiman Eleven Wonders last year and has been one of the standout strikers in the Ghanaian domestic football, scoring 8 goals in the ongoing GFA Normalisation Committee Special Competition.
”I worked so hard for it and I think I deserve it the callup, the coach saw my performance and invited me to be part of the squad.
”I couldn’t have achieved this alone, I really thank my teammates because they pushed me to work very hard for this call-up.”
Commenting further on his debut Black Stars call-up, Fatawu stressed he won’t be swollen-headed but will rather hard to make the finalcut the tournament in Egypt after the team’s pre-AFCON camping in Abu Dhabi.
Check out the full 29-man provisional list below:
Goalkeepers:
Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United, South Africa, Lawrence Ati- Zigi (Sochaux, Montbeliard, France), and Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko, Ghana).
Defenders:
John Boye (Metz, France), Andy Yiadom (Reading, England, Abdul Baba Rahman (Reims, France), Lumor Agbenyenu (Goztepe A.S, Turkey), Kassim Nuhu, (Hoffeinham, Germany,) Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew SC, USA), Joseph Aidoo (Genk, Belguim), Nuhu Musa (St Gallen, Switzerland), Joseph Attamah (Basaksehir, Turkey), and Mohammed Alhassan (Hearts of Oak, Ghana)
Midfielders:
Mubarak Wakaso (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Kwadwo Asamoah (Internazionle, Italy), Ebenezer Ofori (New York FC, USA), Afriyie Acquah (Empoli, Italy), Andre Ayew ( Fenerbache, Turkey), Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, England), Samuel Owusu (Cukaricki, Serbia), Thomas Agyepong (Hibernian, Scotland), Yaw Yeboah (Numancia, Spain), Abdul Fatawu (Asante Kotoko, Ghana).
Strikers:
Asamoah Gyan (Kayserispor, Turkey), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace, England), Adbul Majeed Waris ( Nantes, France), Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor, Turkey and Kwabena Owusu (Leganes, Spain).
