Part of Ghana’s squad
©IMAGO
Kingsley Schindler (30) played at 1. FC Köln until the summer and then moved to Turkish first division club Samsunspor. He has made eleven appearances there so far (one goal), but will be missing from coach Markus Gisdol’s team for the time being. For a good reason, because Schindler is part of Ghana’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations starting on Saturday.
“I was really incredibly happy and after the phone call I had to think about it and let it sink in,” Schindler told Transfermarkt about the moment when national coach Chris Hughton informed him of the nomination. “It’s really a great pleasure to be there,” says the native of Hamburg, who has only been a national player since last year. He made his debut in March in the 1-1 draw against Angola in qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations and has appeared three more times since then.
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“I have a very strong connection to Ghana. I speak the language, know the culture and also know how emotionally everyone here feels about their country, especially when it comes to football. It’s a great honor to be a part of it. I was born and grew up in Hamburg and there is also a large Ghanaian community there that supports us. “It’s definitely a childhood dream of mine to play for Ghana,” emphasizes Schindler, whose parents come from the West African country.
While Schindler’s market value is estimated at 800,000 euros, that of national team colleague Mohammed Kudus (23; West Ham) – the most valuable professional in the country – is 45 million euros. Players like Iñaki Williams (29; Athletic Club) and the Ayew brothers Jordan (32; Crystal Palace) and André (34; Le Havre) are also part of the squad. “It’s a lot of fun training with the boys. These are difference players for us and we can learn a lot from them. But it’s also clear that I want to use my qualities to help the team and contribute to its success,” says Schindler.
Schindler on Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana: “I’m looking forward to it and want to perform”
The Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Ivory Coast from January 13th to February 11th, with Ghana facing Egypt, Mozambique and Cape Verde in Group B. “We are a strong nation with a lot of top players. We also have a good spirit and a good vibe within the team, which is very important for a tournament like this. The expectations in the country are high, but so are our own. Ghana has already won the Africa Cup of Nations four times. If we can bring everything we show every day in training onto the pitch, we can definitely go far,” says the right wing player with certainty.
Looking at the competition in Group B, he says: “There are no longer any nations in Africa that can be underestimated. Every country gives everything in a tournament like this. Therefore, we have to be prepared to face strong opponents. Above all, Egypt is of course very strong and has an absolutely exceptional player in its ranks in Salah. But of course we want to progress.” In terms of squad value, Ghana is ahead of Egypt (136 million) with 196 million euros; in any case, only four national teams are more valuable than the “Black Stars”.
A few days before the start of the tournament, Schindler’s tension “isn’t that great. Because the fun with the boys simply outweighs this.” But it will still increase: “That’s completely normal and part of it. I’m just looking forward to it and want to perform and do something amazing.”
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