Soccer News of Saturday, 23 July 2011

Source: Kickoffghana

Inkoom hails Stars competition

Samuel Inkoom has hailed the competition for places in the Black Stars as Ghana prepare for the international friendly against Nigeria next month.

The Dnipro right back who can also play in right midfield is well behind John Paintsil in the pecking order for the right back slot but says the fact there are a number of players good enough for that position including Daniel Opare only bodes well for the quality of the team.

It is a situation replicated across many positions on the field especially in midfield and Inkoom convinced Ghana will be the ultimate winner.

"For me it's good because if I am not there Opare can play, if Opare is not there I can play, if John Paintsil is not there the two of us can play", he told the maiden edition of the Oti Adjei report on TV3. "It's not exactly a fight but we need to fight for positions. Everybody wants to play and I believe it will help Ghanaians. If we are in a team and the squad is not intensive for me I can take it that I will not train well. I can take it for granted that I will play. But if I know that Opare is there, John Paintsil is there it shows that you need to work hard."

"For me it's very important. If Opare sees me in black stars camp he will say to himself he needs to work hard, if John sees me he will say he needs to work hard. And I see the two players I will resolve to do same. That is why I am saying it brings a lot to the team."

All three players will be in the squad for the international friendly between Ghana and Nigeria on August 9 in Watford.