Daniel Agyei: I was not given a fair chance with the Black Stars

Ghana goalkeeper Daniel Agyei claims he was never given a genuine chance during his extensive time with the Black Stars.

The 25-year-old was widely considered second or third fiddle in the Ghana national team for an extended period of time.

Agyei was part of the Black Stars squad that made it to the grand finale and quarter-finals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and 2010 World Cup respectively.

He was however not considered strong enough to take up the mantle after the exit of long-serving Black Stars goalkeeper Richard Kingson.

Agyei, however, says he wasn’t given a fair run to stake his claim as the next in line first choice goalkeeper of the Black Stars.

“It was like in Spain where you had Casillas, Pepe Reina and Valdes at the same time in the national team, but then everyone knew Casillas was no.1,” he told GHANAsoccernet.com.

“And in Europe, it is a process. When the first choice is not around, the second choice takes over and so on.

“But it is different here. I was under my godfather Richard Kingson and when he went out, one would have thought I would have been given a chance.

“And giving someone a chance doesn’t mean letting him play one or two games especially for we the goalkeepers, we need to build confidence in the team.

“But then I wasn’t given the chance and [Adam] Kwarasey came in and then Fatau Dauda and Razak Braimah.”

Agyei went on to debunk assertions he lacked the confidence to command a regular starting role with the Black Stars.

“I have a lot of confidence in myself,” he adds.

“But then in Ghana, the fans talk a lot and the coaches also do their work.

“All I needed was a chance to prove myself and I didn’t get it, but I am hopeful that one day my chance will come again.”

Agyei is now a regular for Liberty Professionals following an unsuccessful stint in South Africa with Free State Stars.