It was in 2019 at the Cape Coast sports stadium. Many had heard a lot about you but never had the privilege of watching you at close range.

The man, whom you'll have to cause havoc to tonight, Kwasi Appiah handed you your debut for the Black Stars.

You were just a 19-year-old brimming with promise, stepping onto the field against South Africa in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.

That day, you etched your name into the hearts of Ghanaians, scoring your first goal and proving to everyone that you were not just another talent but an asset to this team’s future.

Thirty-six appearances later, you now stand at a pivotal moment in your career—the privilege of leading the Black Stars in a crucial qualifier against Kwesi Appiah’s Sudan for the 2025 AFCON.

As GFA president, Kurt Okraku said on Tuesday, before you were born, this team was represented; it had leaders, and today, you stand where legends once stood —following in the footsteps of Aggrey Fynn, Fred Osam Duodu, Abedi Ayew Pele, Stephen Appiah, Asamoah Gyan, and Andre Ayew.

Now, you wear the captain’s armband, and with it comes the weight of the nation’s dreams. But this is not just about the responsibility to lead the team; it’s about embodying the passion, drive, and sacrifice that inspires those around you.

Tonight, you're stepping into the throne of leadership at a time when the country’s footballing spirit is dampened.

The recent loss to Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium, followed by the frustrating 1-1 draw against Niger, painfully echoed the ghosts of our recent AFCON campaigns.

Ghana’s early exits at the group stage in the last two tournaments still weigh heavily on the minds of many. And so, here we are, at a crossroads.

This match against Sudan is not just about qualifying for the AFCON—it is about restoring belief. It is about reigniting that fire in the hearts of Ghanaians and reviving the Black Stars' pride. And in this quest, all eyes turn to you.

You are loved by many, and rightly so. You are seen as the beating heart of this team, the Starboy who has dazzled on the international stage with 11 goals and countless moments of brilliance. We saw it at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where you shone under the global spotlight. We saw it again at the 2023 AFCON, where you fought through injury to deliver for your country. Your quality is undeniable.

Yet, in recent games, we’ve glimpsed only shadows of your true potential. We know you are capable of more. You know you are capable of more. The team needs you to rise, and we are all expecting the same.

The task is clear: defeat Kwasi Appiah’s Sudan and take all six points. Nothing less.

The whole country will be watching, hoping, yearning. This is your moment to remind Ghanaians what this team is capable of. Perhaps, under your leadership, this can be the beginning of a new era for the Black Stars.

So turn up, Nima boy. The time has come to inspire and conquer.