David Akologo: The Ghanaian Goalkeeper Following the Footsteps of Cameroon Legend Thomas N'kono

• David Akologo has become a household name in the Bolivian league
• The Ghanaian goalkeeper has matched a record set by Thomas N'Kono
• Akologo helped Club Aurora qualify for the CONMOBEL Copa Libertadores

Barely do you hear of African goalkeepers hogging the headlines in South America but in the past Cameroon legend Thomas N'Kono established himself as one of the best around the globe and paved the way for other shot-stoppers from the continent to make a mark abroad.

Gianluigi Buffon, widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers ever, was inspired by what N'Kono did with Cameroon during the 1990 World Cup.

The Cameroonian played for several clubs in Spain, including Espanyol but before hanging up his gloves, he spent time in Bolivia, where he kept the post for Club Bolivar.

Decades down the lane, another African goalkeeper is making waves in Bolivia with topflight side Club Aurora.

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Ghanaian shot-stopper David Akologo seems to be charting the part of the greatest African goalkeeper despite it being the early days of his career. Having joined Aurora in January from CD Fatic, Akologo helped Aurora qualify for the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores, becoming only the second African goalkeeper to achieve the feat, which was set by N'Kono some 27 years ago.

"This is a great achievement for me. I did not even see Thomas N'Kono during his playing days but I heard my idol, Buffon, speak greatly about him and that caught my attention. In fact, after we qualified, that was when I heard he was one of the best goalkeepers to play in Bolivia," he told Sports Brief in an exclusive interview.

"He arrived here after his time in Europe but I am hoping to make it here and when the opportunity arrives, I will definitely love to play in Europe," he added.

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Unlike many African players, who find their routes to Europe right from the continent, Akologo believes his talent and hard work will get him to the height he aspires to reach.

"I have been working hard since I arrived in this country. The culture is very different from Africa, but the style and physicality of the game are similar. I believe with hard work and dedication, I will reach there," he continued.

Who is David Akologo?

Just like many goalkeepers in Ghana, Akologo was hugely talented and could play and keep the post. As he grew, he leaned towards keeping the post safe. He ended up representing local club, Lazio, in Madina, a town in Ghana's capital Accra.

"I used to play and I was good at it and I was also very good at goalkeeping. At the end of the day, I had to make a decision and that was how I became a goalkeeper," he said with a huge smile.

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Akologo went on to keep for Division One side Mighty Jets before leaving the shores of Ghana for South America.

International career choice

Although Akologo is a Ghanaian, his superlative performances in Bolivia has seen him attract interest from the South American country. The 26-year-old has also been knocking on the doors of the Black Stars and was in the past reportedly on the list for an AFCON qualifier.

However, his name was omitted before the squad was named.

"I was approached by people from the Bolivian Football Association but I am a Ghanaian and even though I am not ruling out any chance, at the right time I will make the right decision. But for now, all I want to do is to help my team succeed," said Akologo.

Sudan coach tips Ghana to reach AFCON final

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the Head coach of the Sudanese national team, Kwesi Appiah believes Ghana can reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

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The four-time African champions head to Ivory Coast with slim hopes of winning the tournament following a poor run of results in recent games.

The Black Stars have won only one of their last four matches and were knocked out of the group stage at the last edition of AFCON in Cameroon.