Appiah demands more from Dauda
Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has said goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda has to do more to remain the country's top choice.
"He has been doing well, but he still needs to do a lot more to remain as Ghana's No 1. He must keep fighting," said Appiah.
The 27-year-old AshantiGold shot-stopper was man of the match as the Black Stars moved past Cape Verde 2-0 on Saturday to book their place in the semifinals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
He pulled off several top-class saves, with a spectacular effort in the 82nd minute to deny Cape Verde substitute Djaniny the pick as he flung himself to tip a powerful, goal-bound shot to safety.
"The best player for Ghana was the goalkeeper," said Blue Sharks defender Fernando Varela.
For the past four seasons, Dauda has been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Ghana Premier League as he ensured his club finished runners-up in the last two campaigns.
He has been in and out of the national team set-up since 2004, when he was in the under-23 squad at the Athens Olympics.
Dauda is one of 11 debutants with Ghana at the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa and this was only after he grabbed his chance in last month's warm-up game against Egypt, which the Black Stars won 3-0.
He still faces stiff competition from Daniel Agyei and Norway-based Adam Kwarasey, who was top choice until he let in two soft goals in a 4-2 win over Tunisia last month.
"Ghana have so many great goalkeepers, both in the domestic league and overseas, and I have to continue to justify the confidence the coach has in me," vowed Dauda.
