Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Eric’s knocking, would Ghana answer?

You cannot have a lot of players from Ghana who can say that playing in Egypt is enjoyable. But that is what Eric Bekoe, last year’s Glo Premier league goal king says:

“I have scored goals and the team has taken to me. It has been a good first season for me.

“I know traditionally it is difficult for foreigners to blend in well early here so I have been pleased with the way things have gone here"

Meanwhile as Eric Bekoe is enjoying himself, he’s certainly looking out for a place in the national teams. His eyes would be on Sellas Tetteh and Milo Rajevac, no doubt. But would they call him up?

It’s devilishly difficult to be a foreigner - especially a black foreigner - to play in the North African leagues. That’s why Bekoe’s successful stint as the the third non-Egyptian player for the club is all the more impressive.

The Black Stars have been plagued with striking problems for years and one wonders if Bekoe can be the panacea.

But we have to remember that it was with classic instinctive finishes like those in this video that earned him such honour in Ghana.



Eric scored 17 goals in 22 matches in the then One Touch premier league to become the top scorer. Now he’s had five goals in nine games and two in the Egytian Cup as well.

After the Nations Cup in Ghana last year, former Black Stars coach Claude LeRoy said Eric was not ready for the team. Some second that view.

With the Black Stars restarting their journey to the African Nations Cup and the World Cup next month, do you think the time has come for Eric to be recalled?

First published at: ghana.worldcupblog.com

_____