If there was any doubt as to if a long injury lay-off, and an inability to break back into the Bristol City starting XI had impacted Antoine Semenyo’s self-belief, then the image of him sharing a laugh with the president of the Ghana FA about the celebration dance he has planned if he scores against Brazil, should put an end to it.
Semenyo was one of the first to report to the Ghana camp in Le Havre for Friday night’s friendly against the early World Cup favourites, with considerable focus on him as one of several new recruits to Otto Addo’s squad in 2022, as the Black Stars have expanded their global scouting network.
Social media images of Semenyo among his teammates, delivering what appears to be some kind of initiation dance - not that there’s any reluctance in his moves - and general intrigue from the Ghanaian press means how he performs at the Stade Oceane will be scrutinised with interest.
The 22-year-old’s last competitive start was for the national team on June 1 against Madagascar, only to sustain a shin injury which robbed him of pre-season for a second consecutive summer and meant he’s had a phased return back to first-team action for City, making six substitute appearances in league and cup as Tommy Conway and Nahki Wells have carried the torch up front, with the pair in blistering form.
Nigel Pearson has politely suggested that the Ghanaian staff are sensible in terms of how Semenyo is used against Brazil and then Nicaragua in Spain next Tuesday, but the early indication is he could well start against the Selecao, whose centre-back pairing could be any two from Chelsea’s Thiago Silva, Marquinhos of PSG, Real Madrid’s Eder Militao or new Juventus signing Bremer.
In the build-up to the game, in a video broadcast by journalist George Addo Jnr, Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku says to Semenyo, “I'm looking forward to your first goal”, to which he replies, “it's coming with a dance package.”
It continues a theme from last season whereby Semenyo has matured from that slightly unsure prospect, still figuring out his strengths as a footballer and role in the team, to an athlete with total faith in his ability, and what he can potentially do against Brazil, if given the opportunity.
Although there are Bristol-based concerns over his match fitness, it's not as if the 22-year-old is out of form having scored four goals off the bench already, in all competitions, averaging one every 43 minutes.
“I just want to show the world stage what I can do; show them I can score, show them I can link play, I can run in behind if I need to,” Semenyo told Joy Sports. “I’m raring to go when I’m called upon.
“I’m happy being with the team again. I went back (before) unfortunately with the injury but it’s good to be back and I’m ready to show the Ghanaians what I can do. I’m carrying that fiery edge so when I get a chance I know I’ll score and make the country proud so I’m just waiting for my opportunity again.”
Semenyo is one of nine English-based players in the squad, which also includes former City academy teammate Jojo Wollacott, now of Charlton Athletic, Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace, Arsenal’s Thomas Partey and Tariq Lamptey of Brighton & Hove Albion.
Semenyo is listed as one of 10 forwards, which also includes Athletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams who’s been called up despite earning a solitary cap for Spain in 2016.
With Ghana building for the World Cup, Addo is likely to hand a number of debuts out, with five uncapped players in his 29-man squad amid 14 who have made just single-figure appearances for the Black Stars, as he looks to build as much cohesion, experience and team chemistry before Qatar 2022 kicks off in November.
“We’ve got some new boys in with us so we can gel together as to how we play and come together as a group, and perform on the big stage,” Semenyo added. “Everyone is in good spirits, everyone has got good vibes so we’re all raring to go. I can’t wait. It’s healthy competition, everyone is fighting for their spot so if you get that No1 spot, you have to keep it. That’s what I’m fighting for.”
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