Ghanaian midfielder Ronald Donkor has spoken about his recent call-up to the Black Stars squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Donkor, a young player from the JMG Academy, was included in Carlos Queiroz's squad for Ghana's opening matches. He admitted that he didn't fully believe he had earned his first Black Stars call-up until the squad was officially announced. This call-up marks a significant milestone in Donkor's career, fulfilling his lifelong ambition to represent Ghana.
Donkor revealed that he had spoken to a person he referred to as "Alex" before the squad was unveiled, but he resisted celebrating until he saw his name on the official list. According to him, "When I finished speaking to Alex, I was still waiting for the list to be published so I could believe it was true." This cautious approach suggests that Donkor was eager to ensure that his call-up was genuine and not just a rumor.
Representing Ghana is a dream come true for Donkor, who described playing for the National Team as every young footballer's dream. He stated that "It's been my dream to play for the National Team (Black Stars). Every Ghanaian player wants to play for the national team and wear the national colours." Donkor's call-up is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport.
One of Donkor's first acts after receiving the news was to call his mother, who shared in his excitement. He said, "When I received the call-up, I called my mother, and she was happy." This moment highlights the importance of family support in Donkor's journey as a footballer.
The invitation will also reunite Donkor with familiar faces from his academy days. He will link up with defenders Alidu Seidu and Augustine Boakye, who were his seniors at JMG Academy. Donkor expressed his enthusiasm to meet his fellow Black Stars teammates, saying, "I want to meet my fellow Black Stars teammates, Alidu Seidu and Augustine Boakye, because they were my seniors back in JMG Academy."
Donkor is aware of the expectations that come with wearing the Black Stars shirt and is determined to keep improving as he begins his senior international journey. He acknowledged that "I know Ghanaians love their football. My friends used to call me Agogo, but right now, I want to play and improve." This mindset demonstrates Donkor's commitment to making the most of his opportunity.
The midfielder will now hope to make his senior debut as Ghana begin their quest to qualify for the 2027 AFCON under Queiroz. With his call-up, Donkor has taken a significant step towards achieving his goals, and his performance in the upcoming matches will be closely watched by fans and critics alike.
Key points
- Ronald Donkor was called up to the Black Stars squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
- Donkor's call-up fulfils a lifelong ambition to represent Ghana.
- He will reunite with familiar faces from his academy days, including Alidu Seidu and Augustine Boakye.
