Manchester United striker Odion Jude Ighalo has named Ghanaian duo Kwadwo Asamoah and Stephen Appiah (retired) amongst African players he has enjoyed playing with.
The Nigerian, having played with other players at club level such as Isaac Success (Watford) and current Manchester United teammate Eric Bailly heaped praises on the two Ghanaians, cherishing their industry and interpersonal relations.
In a Twitter video chat with Ghanaian journalist Juliet Bawuah, Ighalo, who is on a loan spell with the Red Devils, said:
“I have played with Kwadwo Asamoah in Udinese, a very good player. I also played with ‘The Tornado’ Stephen Appiah in Cesena in Italy. When you watch those players play before you start playing with them, then it’s a privilege…
“Asamoah is a very humble guy, very calm and quiet and works hard. Even when [Godfrey] Oboabona was at Udinese, he was one of the guys who does dirty jobs in midfield when playing games. He runs for ninety minutes and very intelligent and very calm. He does not get carried away with praise.”
He then singled out ex-Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah for his humility and guidance.
“Even Stephen Appiah, with all what he has achieved, I played with him at Cesena in Italy was humble and jovial. There are some players you meet and they seem bigger to communicate with or sit down and interact with you. That was not the case of Stephen Appiah, he was humble and we talked and laughed every time at training. It is always a privilege for a young player coming up, meeting someone like him to laugh with you, encourages you and who does not feel that he is bigger than you or has achieved more than you is good,” Ighalo stated.
The former Watford striker joined Manchester United from Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League during the winter transfer window. At 30, he has scored four goals in eight games.
