Former coach of the senior national football team, Kwesi Appiah, has disclosed that his brother-in-law recommended Christian Atsu to him.
The Newcastle United winger made his Black Stars debut in Ghana during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on June 2012.
Atsu was applauded for his silky skills and was tipped to help Ghana win the Africa Cup of Nations due to his potential.
Coach Appiah, who left his role in December 2019, said he gave Atsu the chance to prove himself with the senior football national team after a recommendation from his brother-in-law.
“Personally if after a conversation and you suggest a player to me, I don’t forget about it. I follow up. I have a data software and then key in the name of the player and look at the last five games of the player. So if the player is as good as you say, I will consider giving that player a call-up,” he told Citi TV.
“For Atsu, it was my brother-in-law who said there is a player, I have seen him play and he is doing very well. So I checked and I gave him that opportunity.
“I think that’s what other coaches don’t do. They don’t give people the chance to prove themselves.”
Ghana won the game 7-0 and the young protégé scored on his debut for his country.