The difficulties of living up to the expectations of Kevin-Prince Boateng: Nick Amartey Scharkowski

Published on: 01 March 2014
The difficulties of living up to the expectations of Kevin-Prince Boateng: Nick Amartey Scharkowski
Nick Amartey Scharkowski

By Akyereko Frimpong Manson

Follow Akyereko on Twitter: @Akyereko

Nick Amartey Scharkowski has got a lot of physical resemblance with Schalke 04 and Ghana star Kevin-Prince Boateng and just like the former AC Milan playmaker, Scharkowski was born to Ghanaian father and a German mother.

However in terms of successes, the youngster is far below the ladder as he plies his trade in the Swedish lower-division where he plays for Härnösand together with his cousin William Amamoo who inspired him to abandon his vision in Germany to move over to Sweden.

"I left Germany because I played well but nobody saw me so I had to try something else so my cousin William Amamoo brought me here in Sweden to navigate different waters."

Nick Amartey Scharkowski in action against Bayern
Nick Amartey Scharkowski in action against Bayern
Despite admitting the lack of shine in his young career the 21-year-old confident of exploding on his first ever season in Sweden and taking the league and everybody by storm.

"I came here for a purpose. That is to help this club do well in the league and gain promotion and then again to lift my performance and catch the eyes of many."

Back in Germany, Scharkowski achieved a good measure self actualisation when played against a star-studded Bayern Munich side in the German Pokal Cup last year when he completed the entire regulation minutes for Eintracht Norderstedt.

"It was so nice and fulfilling with over 30,000 people watching me play against Bayern and it was against the team that won everything including the Uefa Champions League."

But just after his nostalgic treat, he reiterates his beliefs about how difficult and uneasy to succeed in Germany as a young player.

"It's always hard to succeed in Germany. Because there are a lot of talents in the country. Though I believe I can return there one day and showcase my abilities I think for now I have to be here."

Nick with his coach at training
Nick with his coach at training
Despite his mental limitations on his capabilities in Germany, Scharkowski holds big international ambitions. He wants to honour his Ghanaian roots by playing for the West African country.

"I want to play for Ghana because that is where my father comes from. It is a big dream to play for the Ghana U23 side and then the Black Stars."

He is a bit hesitant and dodgy when I asked him why he would not dream of playing for Germany where his mother comes.

"I love my fatherland and besides I feel more African than German. There is a feeling a get watching the Black Stars play and I experience none of that whenever the German national team is in action."

I was in Ghana in 2006 after the World Cup and I have been watching every Ghana game since then."

On Kevin-Prince Boateng, he says a lot of people have acknowledged their physical resemblance but he is an entire different play though he admits Boateng has achieved a dream he is pursuing.

"I want to follow the example of Boateng Yes! Because has achieved a lot in football. A lot of people tell me I look like him but I'm not him. I'm a different person."

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