Kwadwo Asamoah usually plays as an offensive midfielder but Ghana coach Kwasi Appiah prefers the 24-year old for the left-back position as far as the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations is concerned. He explains that it is that position that he will get the best of the southpaw.

 

Asamoah, who plays for Italian giants, Juventus, has been shifted to a defensive role by the Ghanaian coach, who claims the midfielder has qualities to perfect the duty at the back. The burly midfielder debuted his new role in the tournament opener against DR Congo with a hand in each of the two goals scored by the Black Stars, forcing many to believe that he can do much better playing upfront.

 

However, the midfielder has poured cold water on those calls, expressing that he is at home with the defensive role.

 

“I’m very comfortable playing at left-back. It is nothing new to me as I play a similar role at my club (Juventus).

 

“I don’t have any problem playing there as it’s up to the coach to decide on the players for a particular position.”

 

Having reached at least the semi-finals with the Black Stars on his three previous appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, Asamoah is still bitter with the result of their opening match, where they allowed DR Congo to snatch a point after taking a two-goal lead.

 

“We (players) have to psyche ourselves to work harder especially in the game against Mali on Thursday. Mali is a difficult side to play against.

 

“Definitely, we expect no easy game. We will put in our best to achieve a convincing result.”

 

The 24-year old midfielder was the star of the Ghana team that reached the final of the 2010 edition of Africa Cup of Nations, but has struggled to replicate that form ever since. He was also a member of the team that won bronze two years earlier on home soil.