Joseph Anang

"The coaches focus more on players playing in big leagues or against decent opponents."

"The first one, two or three times is to get a feel and see how it goes after."

"I didn’t go into it thinking I might get a chance. But I’m ready if the chance comes."

"As footballers, you want to play against the big boys, so if that happens then we’re ready to go."

"I visit Ghana every time, and I am ever ready to honour any call-up from the Black Stars. I know the right time will come, and I believe in the technical team. They are doing a fantastic job."

"It is normal back home that it is difficult, and people move abroad to get a better life."

"Being here was a big thing as it’s so different to back home. My family were in the middle but that’s because they moved abroad and were able to send money back home."

"I was a defender as a boy, but I was terrible and wasn’t fit enough!"

"Being dropped wasn’t a good thing and it was very hard mentally, but I took it as a big motivation and didn’t let it get me down. I just kept going."

"I made some saves and saved a penalty, but I was just doing my job."

"We both know how things are back home and if you are not humble, you must be crazy."

"It gives me more motivation, 100 per cent, because we have had similar journeys and come from similar backgrounds as well."

"In this game, you’ve got to believe. If you don’t belief in yourselves, there’s no point."

"It’s all about heart."

"With both my saves, I gambled to my left or right. If I saved it, great, if I don’t, I just go again you know."

"I went to my right twice and got lucky, and made two good saves there."

"I was very happy because it’s my job to help the team out, and in a penalty shootout it was just my time to shine, and I think I did that."

"We know that football is about fighting, and that the team that fights the best will get the win."

"That’s the thing about the boys – it’s always in our mind to only ever give one hundred per cent. I think everyone did that last time – and will do again on Friday."

"You know when you go there it’s going to be a massive challenge, so we just need to make sure that we are ready and then see what happens."

"We’re really buzzing at the moment; 3 points clear at the top of the table, we’re all very excited. If we keep working hard, why can’t this carry on?"

"It’s all about hard work."

"When you are the first-choice goalkeeper, it’s very different from being a back-up. It’s much more difficult being a back-up and waiting for your opportunity when the first choice is not around."

"Everyone’s buzzing in the changing room. It’s the perfect way to head into a Christmas break and we’re excited for what the rest of the season has in store for us."

"The main ambition for us this season is to win the league and that’s something that I really want to achieve. We’ve said it since the start of the year; we made that our goal and we’re top at Christmas, so we have to carry that on."

"In the second part of the season I just want to keep doing what I’m doing, putting in the work and just seeing what happens. I’ve spent a lot of time with the first team this year and I’ve just got to keep working to get better and improve."

"We’ll have a nice Christmas with our families."

"We’re going to get ourselves ready and just treat it as another game, and hopefully keep the unbeaten run going."

"Extremely appreciative of getting the opportunity to wear the national team jersey for the first time. A proud moment I will never forget. Also want to say a massive thank you to Ghanaians for their support."