Any talent scouts sitting in the stands at Wellingtonââ¬â¢s Regional Stadium after Ghana's matchà against Argentina on 2 Juneà would have been searching in vainà for detailed information on Samuelà Tetteh.
After all, the Ghana winger only appeared briefly in African qualifying as a substitute.
Yet despite his lack of previous international exposure, Tetteh'sà has been the name on everyoneââ¬â¢s lips since his impressive performance against Laà Albiceleste. The 18-year-old shone thanks to incredible levels of pace that enabled him to tear away from the South American defence. There appeared to be no way of stopping a player who was faster than his opponents even with the ball at his feet.
ââ¬ÅHis energy and ball skills combined make him a very dangerous adversary for any team,â⬠a delighted Sellas Tetteh â⬓ no relation to the countryââ¬â¢s breakthrough star â⬓ told FIFA.com. The youngsterââ¬â¢s display was so sensational that the Ghana coach even made an exception to his usual unwavering focus on collective effort.
ââ¬ÅThe coach named me the man of the match in the dressing room in front of the whole squad,â⬠the proud matchwinner told us, smiling widely and casting several shy, modest glances towards the floor. Anyone meeting the Black Satellitesââ¬â¢ young winger off the pitch would have no inkling of his immense explosive power and athleticism at first glance. In fact, he is of fairly slender build and does not appear as powerful as his team-mates, including younger brother Benjamin, who also scored against Argentina and towers a full 31cm over his sibling. But as soon as he accelerates for the first time, little other than a foul can stop him.
ââ¬ÅYes, Iââ¬â¢m very quick,â⬠laughed Tetteh, ââ¬Åbut Iââ¬â¢m not the fastest in our team.â⬠ââ¬ÅHeââ¬â¢s right,â⬠confirmed his coach. ââ¬ÅOur left-back Patrick Asmah is a little faster still, but he isnââ¬â¢t quite as technically adept as Samuel.ââ¬Ã The 18-year-old'sà dexterity on the ball is probably one of the reasons whyà he is known as ââ¬ËZidaneââ¬â¢ within the Ghana camp. ââ¬ÅSamuel has been trained as a central midfielder, which makes it so easy for us to put him out on the wings,â⬠explained the team boss. ââ¬ÅHe hardly ever loses a ball and is very unpredictable for his opponents.ââ¬
Yet despiteà his nickname, it comes as no surprise to discover that this rising starââ¬â¢s role model is Brazilââ¬â¢s Neymar, as the two already have very similar playing styles and are of comparable physical stature. Tetteh still plays in Africa for the West African Football Academy, founded in the Netherlands by Feyenoord, who continue to collaborate with their African counterparts. Naturally the dream of this particular Black Satellite is to play in Europe one day. ââ¬ÅYes, thatââ¬â¢s my main goal,â⬠he confirmed. ââ¬ÅIââ¬â¢ll do anything to achieve that and work as hard as I can. I think Iââ¬â¢m on the right track, and thereââ¬â¢s certainly no better stage than the U-20 World Cup for presenting yourself and generating interest.ââ¬
When we asked coach Tetteh whether he could have expected such an explosion in performance from his 18-year-old prodigy, he replied: ââ¬ÅNow, thereââ¬â¢s no doubt that I know what Samuel can do and is capable of achieving, but itââ¬â¢s true that he was a little inconspicuous before this World Cup. The focus was probably more on players like Yaw Yeboah (the team captain, currently under contract at Manchester City), his brother (Benjamin Tetteh) or Clifford Aboagye (who won the adidas Bronze Ball at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013). He certainly stole the show a little today.ââ¬
The main event is only just getting started if Samuel Tetteh has his way. ââ¬ÅAfter drawing with Austria we got together to analyse our mistakes in detail,â⬠the youngster explained. ââ¬ÅWeââ¬â¢ve acclimatised and settled into our game now. The atmosphere is amazing and weââ¬â¢re very optimistic. Now we want to march all the way through to the final.ââ¬
Although Tetteh might not be calling the tune just yet, there is no doubt that he has now played his way into the spotlight.
Source: FIFA.com