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2022 World Cup qualifiers: Germany-born Manu reacts after maiden Ghana call-up
The attacker shares his joy at receiving his maiden invitation from the country of his parents
Darmstadt attacker Braydon Manu has expressed surprise after his maiden call-up to Ghana’s national team.
The 24-year-old is a beneficiary of a series of withdrawals to the Black Stars set-up ahead of their 2022 World Cup qualifying matches against Ethiopia and South Africa.
He was born to Ghanaian parents in the German city of Hamburg, making him eligible to represent either nation on the international stage.
“It makes me incredibly proud to have been selected for my parents' home country. I grew up with the culture, speak the language and have always felt like a Ghanaian,” Manu told his club’s official website.
“I know the enthusiasm and emotions the Black Stars' trigger all over Ghana and it is unbelievable that I am now part of this team myself.
“When I found out about it, I was speechless at first. And that rarely happens to me (laughs). I still can't quite believe it and will probably only realize it when I've actually made it to the national team.”
So far this season, Manu has featured in two of Darmstadt’s five Bundesliga 2 matches, coming on as a substitute in both games.
The attacker received a late invitation to Ghana’s squad, alongside fellow Germany-born Daniel Kofi Kyereh, Celta Vigo centre-back Joseph Aidoo and Wisla Krakow winger Yaw Yeboah, owing to injury and coronavirus-forced withdrawals in the Black Stars squad.
More lately, Crystal Palace man Jeffrey Schlupp and the local-based full-back duo of Mohammed Fatawu (Hearts of Oak) and Samuel Ashie Quaye (Great Olympics) have also been drafted into the squad.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus and Brentford winger Tariqe Fosu have pulled out of the Black Stars’ original 30-man squad for varying reasons.
Crystal Palace winger Jordan Ayew, Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey, Reading duo of Andy Yiadom and Baba Rahman, and Schlupp will all only be available for the opening day clash with Ethiopia on Friday, having been restricted from travelling to coronavirus red-listed South Africa where the Black Stars are due to face Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg on matchday two on Monday.
