Clottey hopeful of CHAN success

January 13, 2011 Accra, Jan. 13, GNA - Bechem Chelsea's Emmanuel Clottey is hoping to build on Ghana's maiden success story when the local Black Stars gather for the Championship of African Nation's (CHAN) competition reserved for locally based players next month.

The prolific striker named in the 23-man squad for the tourney in Sudan told GNA Sports that "Ghana did very well in the maiden competition two years ago and the time has come for us to build on that success.

"To be second at the first attempt was a great achievement and now is the time for us to be champions. We must bring the trophy home and that means hard work."

Clottey said the team is challenged to improve upon that silver winning performance. "We have no reason than to go a step further than our predecessors did and that is a major challenge. We should be able to meet it because we are thirsty for success."

New Edubiase United's striker, Stephen Manu is the only surviving member from that silver medal winning team at the maiden edition in Cote d' Voire in the Sudan squad and Clottey tells GNA Sports his desire is to give his all when given the chance.

In search of a first team role, Clottey will come up against Manu and Premiership darling boy, Emmanuel Osei Banahene who is considered ahead of him at the club level (Chelsea) but the former insists he is not preoccupied with outpacing any striker.

"I'm not worried about playing a first team role or coming off the bench. Any role I'm given, I will just give it my all. This is an opportunity to showcase what I'm made off and when given the chance, I will just focus on what to do for the good of the team."

Chelsea dominates the pack of players with seven players for the competition that spans February 4-25 in Sudan.

Defender Alfred Nelson is the only non-premier league player to be selected for the tournament which pits Ghana with Niger, Zimbabwe and South Africa in Group B.

GNA