Adams ready for Stars challenge

Aduana Stars’ safest pair of hands, goalkeeper Stephen Adams, has described his second call-up to the senior national team, the Black Stars, for the forthcoming international friendly against Montenegro as a welcome gesture from Coach Kwasi Appiah.

Adams’ inclusion in the 21-man Stars squad is a clear demonstration of reward for hard work and recognition of his outstanding performance for the local Black Stars at this year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa. 

The ever-confident and shy-looking goalkeeper was once a member of the senior national team but was replaced by the likes of Fatau Dauda, Adam Kwarasey and Liberty Professionals’  Daniel Agyei. 

In an interview with the Graphic Sports, the Aduana Stars shot- stopper has accepted the challenge and promised to reciprocate the confidence reposed in him by Coach Appiah.

He expressed appreciation to God for bringing him this far in his chosen career and was full of praise for all those who had contributed to nurturing him this far.

Adams’ credentials soared at the CHAN where he ended up as the only goalie who did not concede a goal during open play. He also stood tall during penalty shootouts in  Ghana’s silver medal-winning feat, particularly against their Libyan opponents, in the final match.

Adams had earlier told the Graphic Sports on arrival with the team from South Africa that his fate with the Black Stars rested with Coach Appiah even though many Ghanaians were clamouring for his inclusion.

“As for the World Cup in Brazil we are all looking forward to it, but my fate lies in the hands of Coach Kwasi Appiah,” he told this paper at the Kotoka International Airport when the stars arrived after the CHAN.

 Ghana’s squad for the Montenegro match

Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey (Stromgodset, Norway), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars)

Defenders: Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia), Samuel Inkoom (Platanias, Greece), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium), David Addy (Vitoria Guimaraes, Portugal), Jerry Akaminko (Eskisehirspor, Turkey), John Boye (Rennes, France), Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France)

Midfielders: Michael Essien (AC Milan, Italy), Sulley Muntari (AC Milan, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus, Italy), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Schalke, Germany), Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy), Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough, England), Mubarak Wakaso (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Christian Atsu (Vitesse Arnhem, Holland), Andre Ayew (Marseille, France)

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE), Abdul Majeed Waris (Valenciennes, Italy), Jordan Ayew (Marseille, France)