Talent alone is not enough - Samuel Owusu advise to young footballers

Ghana winger Samuel Owusu has urged young footballers not to only depend on talent if they want to reach higher heights in their footballing careers.

Owusu burst onto the scene as a teenager with Ghanaian second-tier side Vision FC, before moving abroad to join Serbian side Radnik Surdulica in August 2014.

The tricky winger went on to represent Turkish side Gençlerbirliği and FK Čukarički before making a big career step by signing for Saudi Arabian outfit Al Fahya.

The 24-year-old is gradually becoming a household name in Ghana after his distinctive performance with the Black Stars during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

According to Owusu, many young footballers have had their careers hit snags due to over-reliance on talent adding that skill is just not enough.

"Young players ought to be respectful, determined and put in an extra shift to succeed at the top level," Owusu told Vision FC media via a Zoom virtual interview.

Owusu added that being sidelined for up to eight months where he eventually had his contract terminated in Turkey was one of the difficult moments in his career.

Quizzed on the impact of racism in football and if he has been a victim of racial abuse in his playing career he said;

"Yes I have been racially abused on a few occasions especially during my playing days in Serbia."

"It is obviously an unpleasant experience and you need that mental toughness to overcome it."