Kingston Praises Young Teammates

Richard Kingston, Black Stars Goalkeeper

For goalkeeper Richard Kingson, the 2010 African Nations Cup is his fifth appearance, but the same cannot be said for half the squad members on Ghana's roster.

Twelve members of Ghana's squad are making their debut in a competition, which assembles Africa's best and experienced players.

Ghana's team has been riddled by injury to key players in the run-up to the tournament, leaving coach Milovan Rajevac the option to draft in other players.

Rajevac entrusted the responsibility to a few experienced players and the nucleus of players from the Black Satellites that made history by winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup last year.

Kingson, 31, and captain of the team, is one of the few experienced players who has lead the new generation of Black Stars to the finals of the Nations Cup where they played holders, Egypt last Sunday at the November 11 Stadium in Luanda.

The Ghana shot stopper, says he's proud of the maturity shown by the youngsters in the squad, despite an initial sign of nervousness.

“When the tournament started, most of the guys were a bit nervous, and that is expected when you have a young team. But they have adjusted and adapted well,' Kingson told FIFA.com.

But the team has progressed well and that makes Kingson proud.

'From time to time, I have to shout some instructions because they are young and nerves might have the better of them. But they have made Ghana proud”.

Andre Ayew, who is making his second successive Nations Cup appearance, is one of the youngsters in the Ghana squad and he said his colleagues have taken their chances.

“We have been enjoying ourselves and our football. I think we have done very well in this tournament. Most of the guys are hungry. They were presented with an opportunity and they grabbed it,” he said.