Acquah deserves World Cup call-up -Glentoran boss

A board member of the Glentoran Community Trust, Sam Robinson, has stated that Parma midfielder Afriyie Acquah deserves his Ghana World Cup call-up because he has worked hard for it this season.

Robinson brought Acquah to Europe as a 15-year-old boy and stayed with him whilst playing for the Glentoran Academy in Ireland.

“I'm absolutely thrilled for the boy and he has had a great season at Parma so he deserves it,” Robinson told Belfast Telegraph. “It's a fairytale story for him to get this far in the game.”

“He sent me messages saying 'we did it' and I would keep in contact with him through Skype. He's a very driven boy and I'm just delighted for him. He has a girlfriend now, he is focused on his football and enjoying life,” he added.

“I went to Italy in January to watch him play for Parma against Chievo and the World Cup was the sole thing on his mind.”

Acquah will no doubt be sharing his wonderful memories of Belfast with comrades wherever his career takes him.

“He calls me the Godfather,” added Robinson. “My kids love him but communication was difficult as he spoke little English. Adoption did cross my mind when he was with me, but it would have been a very complicated process.”