Awudu Issaka, a former U-17 FIFA World Cup champion, admitted that the first time he watched Christian Atsu play at the academy level, he was in awe.
Issaka admitted that playing against the former Chelsea player forced him to stop playing football in Ghana.
According to Awudu Issaka, late Ghanaian coach Sam Ardy told him he has found a player with similar traits as his in the shape of Christian Atsu.
“Atsu did not play for my team but he has been a blessing to a lot of people. I got to know Atsu through Sam Arday while in Europe. Sam Arday called and told me we’ve gotten a player of my caliber in the person of Atsu. When I arrived in Ghana, I watched him and realized his potential,” he said as quoted by Pak MediaGh.
He continued by describing how the late Atsu and Black Stars defender Harisson Afful shocked him by retiring him from football shortly after he had just returned from Europe.
“After my career in Europe, I came to Ghana, we played a game with Feyenoord, a team coached by Sam Arday at the time, in fact, that was the first time I played against Atsu and Harrison Afful. Truth be told, the two players gave me a tough time, they didn’t allow me to enjoy the game and that is why I lost interest in playing in Ghana.”
Christian Atsu began his professional career at Gomoa Feteh Feyenoord, then moved on to Cheetah FC before securing a transfer to FC Porto in Portugal to launch his career.
