Uriah to buck Maghrebian trend

It's almost a cliché that Ghanaian players will not do well with North African clubs, but Uriah Asante wants to be one of the few success stories. The player believes focus and consistency are sure ways to get him a good stay in Tunisia.

Asante moved from Hearts of Oak, where he had been on loan from PureJoy and shone. Currently on a three year deal with Etoile du Sahel, the player is looking to the great strides made by countryman Harrison Afful for inspiration.

"Afful has proven to all of us that Ghanaian players can succeed in Tunisian clubs. Time and again Ghanaians sign for clubs here and come home with sad stories but I am here till the tide turns," he told SuperSport.com.

The player's right holder, Isaac Tetteh, had no choice but to let Asante leave Hearts when his relationship with the club's fans soured getting to the end of last season. Asante's move to Tunisia followed flirting with Hearts' rivals Kotoko, but the move never happened.

"I am in Tunisia to see my contract through and once I shine here the opportunity to play in Europe will come sooner than I expect. Sahel is a great club and I am here to win trophies."

Asante had grown to become one of the exciting players of the Ghanaian top flight and was part of Ghana’s U-23 side that won an historic gold medal at the 2011 All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique. However he will not be playing in the Caf Champions League as Etoile du Sahel have already exhausted their allowed quota of registered players.