Soccer News of Saturday, 23 February 2013

Source: ghanasoccernet

Adomah insists playing at AFCON has not changed him

Bristol City winger Albert Adomah insists his appearances in the African Cup of Nations for Ghana have not changed him as a person.

Despite rubbing shoulders with some of the best players on the planet and helping the Black Stars to achieve a fourth-place finish in South Africa, Adomah has not allowed success on the international stage to go to his head.

Now back in England, the Londoner says he wants to utilise the lessons learned from playing tournament football to help City stay in the Championship.

He told The Post: “I don’t feel any different, because I’m the same person, the same Albert Adomah.

“It’s not as though I’ve come back as a left footer who plays in defence. I’m the same player.

“But I’ve also learned a whole lot by being in South Africa and playing with better players.

“There are so many more things you have to be aware of in international football and you do find yourself doing things differently on the pitch.

“Whereas I might rush crosses in the Championship, because the game is so fast, I found myself taking my time and making sure my final ball was better.

“It’s all about end product at that level and I’ve learned things that I hope will stand me in good stead back in English football.”

Adomah made five appearances, including four starts, during the tournament and admits he even surprised himself.

He added: “I enjoyed every moment. I loved the different stadiums and playing on the big stage.

“We played in Nelson Mandela Bay in Post Elizabeth and that blew my mind away.

“But the best thing of all, was playing games. Considering it was 50-50 whether I would even make the squad, I was not expecting to play much.

“In the end, I started four games, including the quarter-final against Cape Verde, and came on as a substitute in the third-place play-off against Mali.

“I played a lot more than I thought I would and it was all good experience.

“Apart from the quarter-final, when I came off at half-time and was disappointing, I thought I played really well.”