Bernard Tekpetey eyes Black Stars return after winning Bulgaria topflight with Ludogorets

Ghana international Bernard Tekpetey says he is not giving up on his return to the senior national team, the Black Stars.

Tekpetey who made his Black Stars debut in 2017, has been out of the Black Stars squad for nearly four years and has disclosed he’s doing all that he can to catch the eyes of the handlers of the Black Stars.

The former Schalke 04 hitman was recently crowned a champion of the Bulgarian topflight with four games to spare in his maiden season at Ludogorets and has left the door open for a return if called upon.

"Of course, since I have played for the national team already, I will not be surprised [to be invited again]," Tekpetey told Wontumi FM.

"I am trying to do my best with my club and once the scouting and coaching team are there, if they monitor me and realise my performance is good and I am invited, I will be really glad about it to come and represent the nation once again.

“It is all about prayers and hard work and that is what I am doing over here, so if they realise I am doing well and I am invited, I will be really happy to be back again into the national team.

Tekpetey has enjoyed a successful season in Bulgaria as the club has already clinched the Bulgarian league title, with four games to spare.

The 23-year-old has so far made 23 league appearances involving 15 starts. His only goal came in a 1-0 victory over CSKA Sofia in February.

“I will give thanks to God because through him things have been successful for me,' he said.

"When I arrived at the club, things weren’t easy but God being so good we have won the league although we have about four games to finish the season.

“I’m really excited to be part of this, it wasn’t easy but I’m really excited in this moment.

"I can be proud of myself because together with my teammates we have been able to make it."

The striker contributed nine goals, scoring one and providing eight assists as Ludogorets won the Bulgarian elite division title for the tenth consecutive season.

Tekpetey, whose last outing for Ghana at any level was with the U23 side in 2019, is one of two Ghanaians at Ludogorets, the other being Dutch-born Elvis Manu.

Black Stars coach CK Akonnor is expected to name his squad for June's 2022 World Cup qualifying double-header against Ethiopia and South Africa later this month.