SC Paderborn 07 striker Bernard Tekpetey says his call-up to the Ghana U-23 squad was a surprise to him as he was aiming for the Black Stars
Tekpetey has been a mainstay at Paderborn since joining German Bundesliga side Schalke 04 in the summer.
The 21-year-old hitman’s form for the Benteler-Arena outfit has earned him call up into the Ghana U-23 side that are preparing to engage Gabon in the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday.
But the former Unistar Soccer Academy forward confessed that he was expecting his current form to warrant him a place in the senior national team and not the U-23.
“People were talking about me returning to the national team but I was not expecting to be called up for the U-23,” Tekpetey told Sheikh Toufik in an exclusive interview.
“Actually, I think maybe the Black Stars is the level now but no one knows what God has in store for me, so I think me being in the U-23 is another opportunity to show my talent.”
The Black Meteors defeated neighbours Togo 5-1 on aggregate in the last round of the qualifiers.
The winner of the two legged game qualifies for the competition in Egypt, which serves as the qualifiers for Tokyo Olympic games next year.
Tekpetey has provided 3 assists and scored 10 goals in 28 games in all competition for SC Pardeborn in the ongoing season.