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Sports Features of Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Source: BBC

Kwarasey adds to Ghana's clout

It is not often that Ghana can claim to have a goalkeeper who matches the calibre of their outfield players.

But in Adam Larsen Kwarasey, the Black Stars seem to have netted themselves a potential legend.

Kwarasey has taken over from Richard Kingson as Ghana's number one.

He made his debut for the four-time African champions in September last year in a Nations Cup qualifier against Swaziland.

Kwarasey was born in Oslo, Norway, to a Ghanaian father and Norwegian mother, 24 years ago.

Although his elevation raised eyebrows in some circles, Kwarasey has allayed concerns about his inexperience at the top level with a series of assured displays.

He told BBC Sport at Ghana's Africa Cup of Nations base in Gabon that he is enjoying life as a Black Star.

"It's an honour to be part of this squad, and I'm just having fun with the boys," he said.

He continued: "It's been a joyride to be honest, the boys have been great all the way and I'm enjoying every day.

"Even though I don't speak one of the local languages, it's been great for me, and long may it continue."

Kwarasey's emergence from the relative obscurity of Norwegian Premier League side Stromsgodset could not have been better timed.

Veteran goalkeeper Kingson had begun to leak like a sieve, spreading panic throughout the football-mad nation.

Kwarasey is understandably reluctant to discuss his predecessor's shortcomings, but the way he commands his box and positions his defence has calmed nerves in Ghana in a way Kingson could not.

He is not the finished article by any stretch of the imagination, as has been shown by his uncertainty in coming to collect crosses - an area of his game that needs work.

But in a position where one small mistake can undo a hitherto faultless display, Kwarasey offers precisely the kind of security any football team's success is built upon.

"It's up to other people to talk about how good I am, I just want to continue doing well for my country."