Monrovia – Nimba United goalkeeper Emmanuel Deanneh is focusing on his future and seems not to be bothered by a poor start to his international career.
Deanneh was between the sticks as Liberia lost 0-2 to Guinea in an under-20 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) in Monrovia on April 3 but is optimistic that the future still looks bright for him.
“I am glad that I made the team. It was a difficult experience but the future looks bright. I am not worry at all. It is football and anything can happen in football. We played well but at the same time had some slight mistakes. We have to work on them before the return leg,” Deanneh said.
The former White Tiger goal custodian, however, believes that he will work hard to keep and equal his debut with the Mountaineers.
With Nimba United down by 3-0 in a 2016 Caf Champions League first leg match to Cameroon’s Union Douala on February 14 at the ATS, Deanneh replaced an error-friendly Jeremiah Sickey in the 40th minute and made a strange of beautiful saves for the Liberia Football Association (LFA) first division defending champions. The match ended 3-1 but Deanneh did concede a goal in the return leg on February 28 in Douala.
“My focus now is to work hard and keep my place in the team. I know it will be a difficult task but I will get there. When I joined Nimba United, it was difficult to climb the steps [because] a lot of people overlooked my ability, but I have gone on to prove my quality which is possible. I am starting with the under-20 now. I can see myself even in the goal for the national team,” Deanneh prophesied. He first wants to grow in the youth ranks before being call to the senior national team.
“I know many young players, like me, want to be at the top so quick. But I think I have to pass through the youth ranks before ascending to the national team. I want to go to the under-21 and under-23 before securing a call to the senior national team. By that time, I will be mentally fit to make decision,” Deanneh added.