Lennard’s Ghana do his best
LENNARD SOWAH has targeted international recognition with Ghana after spurning Hamilton Accies for Hearts.
Left-sided defender Sowah has been snapped up by the Jam Tarts until the end of the season as cover for Faycal Rherras, currently on African Cup of Nations duty with Morocco.
He sees the Tynecastle club, who also have Arnaud Djoum on Cup of Nations duty with Cameroon, as a springboard to international football.
But despite representing Germany from Under-16 to Under19 level, Sowah has targeted glory with the country of his parents’ birth rather than his own.
“I was born in Germany so it was a proud moment to play for them and to have watched them win the World Cup, especially the players I know personally,” said the 24-year-old.
“But playing for Ghana is a massive personal goal. It is not up to me, so all I can do is play to my best for Hearts and hopefully I will get the call one day.
“I was over in Ghana during the summer on holiday, so it is a place I feel close to.
“Playing for Hearts, I want to be solid, play games and help the team forward. I believe that everything will fall into place if I do that.
“This club already has two players in the African Cup of Nations so that shows this is a good platform.”
Sowah penned a short-term deal with Hamilton Accies in October and went on to make seven Premiership appearances.
Martin Canning’s attempts to keep the defender stalled when Hearts swooped. And Sowah revealed the Gorgie club’s offer was one he could not refuse.
“Hamilton did offer me a contract, but I sat down with them and went through everything and talked to my family,” he said.
“It wasn’t an easy decision because I felt good at Hamilton. The gaffer is a nice guy and I felt good with the team.
“But for me it was a feeling that it was time to try and take the next step – especially when I heard Hearts were interested.”