Why I chose Ghana over Holland — Gyasi

Dutch-born Black Stars forward, Edwin Gyasi, says his decision to opt for Ghana other than his country of birth is because he feels more Ghanaian than Dutch.

The 26-year-old offensive midfielder, who plays for Aalesunds in Norway, told the Graphic Sports in an interview via phone yesterday that he had never regretted his decision and would work hard to command a permanent place in the national team.

“My parents are from Ghana and I also don’t feel like I’m a Dutch. I am a Ghanaian and that’s why I decided to play for the Black Stars,” responded Gyasi about why he decided to play for Ghana.

Gyasi snatched the equaliser for Ghana during their final World Cup qualifier against the Pharaohs of Egypt at the Cape Coast Stadium last Sunday. The player admitted that he felt being on cloud nine when he scored his debut goal for the senior national team.

“It was great! I couldn’t believe when I scored. I didn’t know where I was running to but scoring for the Black Stars was really nice.”

According to him, Coach Kwasi Appiah was impressed with his performance and, therefore, patted him on the back after the game.

“The coach told me after the game that he was proud of me,” he stated.

The player, who was born in Holland but claimed to speak fluent Twi, described skipper Asamoah Gyan as his idol and somebody he aspires to surpass in the national team.

“Baby Jet Asamoah Gyan is a player I look up to because he has done so much for Ghana.”

He said ahead of the game, Gyan advised him not to be scared of anything but to go and play the game and enjoy it.

Following that goal, the Ghanaian international said he got text messages from his teammates in Norway congratulating him, hoping the goal would add to his profile in the coming weeks.