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Jerry Akaminko grateful to Black Stars coach Kwasi Appiah for reviving international career

By ghanasoccernet.com
Sports News Jerry Akaminko grateful to Black Stars coach Kwasi Appiah for reviving international career
JUN 18, 2017 LISTEN

Turkey-based defender Jerry Akaminko is very grateful to Black Stars head coach Kwasi Appiah for reviving his international career after first call-up in 1103 days.  

The 29-year-old joined the Black Stars for the first time in 3 years after he suffered a career-threatening injury on duty with Ghana prior to the 2014 World Cup.

The former Heart of Lions defender twisted his ankle at the De Kuip in Rotterdam as Ghana lost 1-0 to the Netherlands on May 31, 2014,(3 years 0 months 7 days) ruling him out of the tournament in Brazil.

After sitting out for almost a year, he returned to the bench for Eskisehirspor in 2015.Two years on and Akaminko has worked himself into contention earning surprised invitation from Kwasi Appiah - who was reappointed in April.

'I want to really thank him [Kwesi Appiah] for bringing me back [to the Black Stars],' he told FootballMadeInGhana.com.

'It may be coincidence that he was the one who handed me my first call up to the team but I think it is divine.

'I really want to thank him for the opportunity again and we hope for the best.'

Akaminko was however an unused substitute in the 5-0 win over Ethiopia in Ghana's opening 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier despite making several changes to the 'template' line up employed by Avram Grant.

Jerry Akaminko

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