Emmanuel Gyasi eyes AFCON trophy after making Black Stars debut

 Italy-born Emmanuel Gyasi says he has now set his sights on winning next years Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon after fulfilling his childhood dream of playing for Ghana earlier this year.The 27-year-old, who plays for Italian Serie A side Spezia Calcio, made his international debut on 25 March as the Blacks Stars drew 1-1 with South Africa in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.He now has his sights firmly set on being part of the squad at the Nations Cup finals in Cameroon next year and helping his country end a 30-years wait for success.”My childhood dream has always been wearing the Ghana National team shirt,” he told BBC Sport Africa.”I wanted to become a football player and play for Ghana: I never had a doubt about it.”In the past I had two idols in our national team: Stephen Appiah and Asamoah Gyan. They were great, I used to love them and watch all of their games.”Gyasi was born in the Italian city of Palermo in 1994 but was then raised in Ghana by his grandparents until he was 11, when he returned to Italy.He is grateful for a life split between Africa and Europe.”I went to Ghana as I was a small child and I lived there with my grandparents and my uncle,” he explained.”It was a great experience for me, it allowed me to know my origins and the culture of my country. When I then moved back to Italy, I kept feeling Ghana was very close to me.”Although I was born in Italy and I feel very comfortable here, my land of origin is Ghana. My bond to Ghana has never vanished or diminished throughout the years.”Those are my origins. That is my motherland. It’s something indelible in my heart.”His bond with Ghana was completed earlier this year when Black Stars coach CK Akonnor named Gyasi in his squad for the final two 2021 Nations Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.”There had been some speculations about me, but I had never spoken to anyone from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) before (the call-up).” he explained.”Then I was finally called up! Ghana is an important football country in Africa, with thousands of good players. I am very proud of myself.”Ghana are four-time African champions but have not won the title since 1982, instead they have lost in three finals since then and reached the semi-finals on a further five occasions.Having fulfilled a personal dream Gyasi’s next dream is one held by every Ghana football fan.”Ghana are a strong National team, a good mix of interesting young prospects and more experienced players. The manager and his staff are very prepared too,” he explained.”Ghana have played several World Cups and Africa Cups of Nations: our dream and that of our fans is to win the trophy.”We know it won’t be easy and we will have to think game by game, but we’ll go there to make our dreams come true. We have to believe in ourselves.”I met Alfred Duncan and Kwadwo Asamoah (the only other Ghana internationals in Serie A) when we played against Cagliari we had a nice chat after the final whistle and they gave me some advice, I want to thank them for this.”