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Former Ghana coach Avram Grant has revealed how he prepared Christian Atsu to win the best player award at the 2015 African Cup of Nations, despite the player not having played football for six months before the tournament.
Speaking to Joy Sports, Grant explained he took Atsu to the tournament because he knew him from their time at Chelsea. However, Atsu had been plagued by injuries and had not played for six months prior to the tournament.
Grant disclosed that he put Atsu on a special program with the team's fitness coach, Jamie Lawrence, to prepare him for the tournament.
The Israeli revealed he had a conversation with Atsu, who told him he didn't care if he played one minute or 10 minutes. Atsu said he was proud to be Ghanaian and wanted to give his contribution to the team, especially after the disappointment of the World Cup the previous year.
Despite his lack of playing time ahead of the tournament, Atsu went on to become the best player of the tournament and also won the best goal of the tournament as Ghana lost in the final to Ivory Coast.
Grant praised Atsu's mental strength and character, saying that his story showed how he was able to overcome adversity and perform at the highest level.
“It’s a story that shows also about his character and how strong he is mentally because I received the team very short time before the AFCON after the crisis in the World Cup in 2014 and he was not even on the list because he didn’t play half a year. The first half of the year he didn’t play, he didn’t find a team, partly because of injury.
“Then I knew him also because Chelsea bought him and he played in Holland and I decided to take him to the team which I think a lot of people didn’t agree with me which I understand because he didn’t play for half a year.
“So we put him in a special program with Jamie Lawrence, the fitness coach to prepare him and I remember that I had a conversation with him, he said to me if you decide to take me, I don’t care if I play one minute or five minutes or 10 minutes.
“I’m a Ghanaian. I’m proud of my team and after what happened in the World Cup with the supporters don’t believe in us. I want to give my contribution”.
Christian Atsu lost his life after being trapped in the Turkey earthquakes earlier this year and has seen tributes pouring in from all over the world.
Speaking to Joy Sports, Grant explained he took Atsu to the tournament because he knew him from their time at Chelsea. However, Atsu had been plagued by injuries and had not played for six months prior to the tournament.
Grant disclosed that he put Atsu on a special program with the team's fitness coach, Jamie Lawrence, to prepare him for the tournament.
The Israeli revealed he had a conversation with Atsu, who told him he didn't care if he played one minute or 10 minutes. Atsu said he was proud to be Ghanaian and wanted to give his contribution to the team, especially after the disappointment of the World Cup the previous year.
Despite his lack of playing time ahead of the tournament, Atsu went on to become the best player of the tournament and also won the best goal of the tournament as Ghana lost in the final to Ivory Coast.
Grant praised Atsu's mental strength and character, saying that his story showed how he was able to overcome adversity and perform at the highest level.
“It’s a story that shows also about his character and how strong he is mentally because I received the team very short time before the AFCON after the crisis in the World Cup in 2014 and he was not even on the list because he didn’t play half a year. The first half of the year he didn’t play, he didn’t find a team, partly because of injury.
“Then I knew him also because Chelsea bought him and he played in Holland and I decided to take him to the team which I think a lot of people didn’t agree with me which I understand because he didn’t play for half a year.
“So we put him in a special program with Jamie Lawrence, the fitness coach to prepare him and I remember that I had a conversation with him, he said to me if you decide to take me, I don’t care if I play one minute or five minutes or 10 minutes.
“I’m a Ghanaian. I’m proud of my team and after what happened in the World Cup with the supporters don’t believe in us. I want to give my contribution”.
Christian Atsu lost his life after being trapped in the Turkey earthquakes earlier this year and has seen tributes pouring in from all over the world.