Former Ghanaian international admits his disappointment at failed Spurs opportunity

Former Ghanaian midfielder Gladson Awako has opened up on his regret that a move to Tottenham fell through early in his career.

Many Spurs fans would have heard of Awako, which is not surprising considering the 31-year-old has had a rather ordinary career.

However, during his days as a teenager, he was rated among the best talents in Africa (Daily Mail).

He was a key player in the side that won the Africa Under-20 Nations Cup and became the first African team to win the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2009.

The midfielder was expected to move to a big European club but it never quite happened for him.

Awako has spent most of his career in his native Ghana, apart from a brief spell in the United States.

The 31-year-old has now admitted that he did have the chance to prove himself at Spurs along with Inter Milan and Monaco.

Speaking to Ghana Web, the midfielder said: “I am disappointed because I had chances to travel outside to train with some European clubs like Tottenham, Inter Milan, Monaco, but it didn’t happen the way I wished, but I still moved on and I believe that things will get better.

“It is different from playing in the Under-17 team. It is the Under-20 so those clubs out there have some expectations because you are already matured.

“If you are playing for the Under-20 you have already hit your mark 18, 19, 20, so you should be a matured player. They have some target that they want to see from the player”.

Spurs Web Opinion

Awako is not the first youngster backed for big things who has failed to live up to expectations and won’t be the last. Time and again we see talented young players go on to have disappointing careers.

It shows that mere talent is not enough and a player’s mentality is just as important in helping them reach the top level. This is why I often find it ridiculous when I see fans who are so confident what 18-year-old’s like Parrott are good enough for the top level.