Divine Naah: Ghanaian starlet talks about Manchester City, NAC Breda's survival chances, future, Dutch culture & Ghana U20 snub

Published on: 02 May 2015
Divine Naah: Ghanaian starlet talks about Manchester City, NAC Breda's survival chances, future, Dutch culture & Ghana U20 snub
Divine Naah, training as a boxer

By El Akyereko Frimpong

Follow the writer on Twitter: @AkyerekOfficial

It's Sunday and the early morning clock is ticking for recovery training at NAC Breda after their 3-1 humiliation at home to Heracles Almelo in the 32 of the Dutch Eredivisie. 

Divine Naah had played full throttle in the game and will be among the players undergoing recovery training in Beatrixstraat. The 19-year-old is in a collective mood and focused ahead of the morning's routine exercise. He reclines and looks back at Breda's last four games in the top-flight. Not a single win, three draws and a loss.

The ultimate would mean relegation should the recent bad streak of results continue. Naah arrived at Breda in the winter after leaving Norwegian side Stromsgodset and has contributed to a goal in 8 appearances. Breda must churn out good results in the last games of the season of they are to turn the table around and he sees possibilities though he admits the difficulty.

Naah in action against Ajax Amsterdam
Naah in action against Ajax Amsterdam
"I know its very frustrating that we didn't win, but that's all part of football, we now looking up to the next 2 games and see what happens. Its going to be difficult but we will fight till the end anything can happen."

'Mallam' affectionately nicknamed back in Ghana, the youngster is regarded as one of the best young talents at his age. His wizardry in the middle has earned him an early comparison with Barcelona star-man Andres Iniesta.

He beamed with smiles on his arrival at Manchester City, training with stars Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and Gael Clichy seems a big fulfillment for the youngster. A look of smartness appears on his face when thoughts of his future comes into the question. He could be playing in the second-tier of Dutch football should Breda fail to beat the drop.

"I'm not sure at the moment but [I] signed 18 months here so if possible [I am going to] stay."

Naah at Manchester City
Naah at Manchester City
The intensity on his face quickly changed into smiles and admiration about the Netherlands and the impressive culture of the Northwestern European country.

"I think its probably the place I have been in Europe they have a great culture and the people are very nice as well. The weather is great too and I love it so much."

A look of surprise quickly merged with the everlasting smiles on his face as talks of international football is mentioned.

Naah was a member of the Ghana U20 squad during the early stages of qualification for the African Youth Championship but he has dropped down the pecking order as head coach Sellas Tetteh failed to include him a his squad for the tournament.

Though he is surprised, Naah says he was sure why he was not called but believes the youngsters have the capacity to shine.

"Yeah its very surprising but I think most of the boys are my friends and they will excel. I'm not sure why I wasn't called."

Back home in Ghana, Naah's elusiveness and extraordinary abilities with the ball earned him a lot of praises with Black Stars Management Committee Chairman George Afriyie raving about his qualities. "He's among the best players I've seen at his age and was a member of the U20 squad when we started playing the qualifiers."

Naah reveals his admiration for Bareclona star Andres Iniesta and reveals he is full-time Manchester City fan.

"I support Manchester City of course but I admire Iniesta so much because of his abilities with the ball."

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