GhanaFA

Barusso keen on first-team action

16 years ago
Advertisement

Ghanaian midfielder Ahmed Apimah Barusso believes it is only a matter of time until he gets to start a match for Italian giants AS Roma.

The 22-year-old is convinced that regular club action will help his chances of playing for his country when they host the African Cup of Nations next year.

Barusso joined Roma last summer in a five-year deal but he is yet to break into the first team of the Italian side.

With Italy internationals Daniele De Rossi, Alberto Aquilani and Simone Perrotta ahead of him in the midfield pecking order, Barusso wants to bid his time.

"I have had a talk with our coach (Luciano Spalletti) and he seems to be very positive towards me," Barusso told BBC Sport.

"He told me that he liked me as a player and that is good to hear from a manager.

"The coach is very clever and so I know there are some senior players ahead of me that I need to learn a lot from while waiting for my opportunity.

Barusso knows failure to play regularly for his Italian club could cost him a place in coach Claude Le Roy squad for the Nations Cup.

"Many newspapers in Ghana have said the Ghana coach wants players who are not playing regularly to forget the Cup of Nations.

"I am very satisfied with the learning ropes here and I cannot force myself into the squad.

"If it was up to me, I will be playing in the Roma team because I believe in my own abilities but the right to play here is up to Luciano Spalletti.

"While the chances of playing at the Cup of Nations is up to coach Le Roy, I have played a few times under him and he knows what I am capable of. "

Credit:BBC