Jojo Wollacott is set to start Ghana’s opening match in the Africa Cup of Nations having risen to fame on the back of several loan deals, including a spell at Gloucester City three seasons ago.
A then-Bristol City prospect, Wollacott spent the majority of the 2018/19 campaign at Gloucester, as one of the eight loans he experienced before a permanent move to Swindon last summer.
In fact, it is three years this week since the Ghanaian lined up for The Tigers in a National League South fixture with East Thurrock in front of just 242 supporters.
Now, he is preparing to face Morocco later today in what promises be an enthralling encounter between two of the favourites for the tournament in Cameroon.
”It was always my ambition and I told myself it was going to happen one day,” Woolacott told the Guardian.”To play for your country at a major tournament is every boy’s dream … I’ve got to pinch myself again.”
The 25-year-old made his international debut in a World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in October, earning a first call-up for a run of excellent performances in the Swindon net.
”I was a bit emotional after the game because it just hit me” he said.” That was when I realised: ‘I’m playing international football for Ghana.’ It is going to be a busy few months but I am looking forward to it”
“It still has not sunk in yet. But it is just the nature of football. It is a game of opinions. You have to believe in yourself, trust the process and understand that if you keep doing the right things and the opportunity comes, you just need to be ready to take it.”
JOJO WOOLACOTT
Although, despite the prospect of representing his country at an international tournament, the goalkeeper’s humility hasn’t altered from his days at Gloucester City.
”I am pretty grounded,” he says. ”I’m quite aware of my situation. I’ve had a good upbringing – that is down to mum. She does keep me in check every now and then, but not as much as when I was a little kid.”
”I’m not getting ahead of myself. I am just going to stay consistent with what I’m doing. I’m not a superstar. I’m the same person. I’m not going to change.”
Perhaps the fact that nobody recognised Wollacott at Accra airport on his last visit has kept him so down-to-earth, but no doubt AFCON success for Ghana will propel him to stardom.
“The first time no one really knew who I was,” he said, laughing. “The second time I think people started to recognise me a bit more.”
Ghana take on Morocco at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde at 4pm (UK time) on Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Football.
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