The pitch invader during Ghana’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa, has met his idol Thomas Partey.

Awal Suleman met with Partey before the midfielder departed the country for club duties in Spain. Partey gifted Suleman a signed Black Stars jersey.

The 25-year-old former Nalerigu Nursing Training College nursing student invaded the Cape Coast Stadium pitch in the dying embers of the game which the Black Stars won 2-0 on Thursday night.

His reason for interrupting the match was to take a selfie with the Atletico Madrid star.

He was arrested and detained at the University of Cape Coast police station.

However, pleadings from many Ghanaians including footballers Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan, led to the police releasing him after close to 48 hours in cells.

Upon his release from cells, Suleman met with family and friends and was paraded through the streets of Cape Coast.

Suleman claims he has ambitions of becoming a footballer in the future despite completing nursing education.

“I am not only a 400 meters runner, but I also play football. I am a midfielder and I play for London Rovers, a second division club here in Cape Coast,” he told Asempa FM.

“I am a very good athlete and I play football too but you know, after Senior High School if you do not get help to pursue [your dream career] all become waste. Now I am combining football with my nursing job and will like to be a professional footballer,” he added.

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