Sydney FC excitement machine Kofi Danning is right where he wants to be just days out from the Sky Blues first match of the 2010/11 season.
After making his Sydney FC debut as a 17 year-old, Kofi Danning has quickly risen to be one of the fans favourites at the Sky Blues.
Following a starring role in Sydney FC-s National Youth League team in 2008/09, the Ghanaian born striker has progressed through the ranks to be a focal member of the first team squad.
Following a promising start to the 2009/10 Hyundai A-League season, where he started four of the first seven games, Danning suffered a heartbreaking season ending knee injury.
After spending almost nine months on the sidelines, the excitement machine is now back to full fitness and ready to reach the dizzying heights of a year ago.
“Mentally it was very tough because it was a first time serious injury, things change as you watch games from the sideline and there-s nothing you can do about it,” Danning said.
“You have to move on and I guess I did that so I-m back at square one. It-s been feeling very good, I have been trying to work on my rehab a lot to get my knee right, do the right thing.
“I have progressed pretty fast and I-m where I want to be and getting out there on the weekend just felt great, I-m happy to be back.”
It has been an exciting period for the Sky Blues, having played against some of Europe-s biggest clubs on home soil in the inaugural Sydney Festival of Football and now the club is looking forward to their opening A-League encounter against Melbourne Victory in a Grand Final re-match this Saturday night.
“It-s been amazing to have the opportunity to play some of the best teams in Europe or in the World. It-s been amazing. Not many teams in Australia get that opportunity,” Danning said.
“It was good to see what stage we-re at and how we can improve ahead of the season. We can learn from what those teams do and take things away for the games we play.”
Already possessing an attacking trio of Alex Brosque, Mark Bridge and Danning, the arrival of off-season signing Nicky Carle is sure to cause opposition defences a headache this season. Danning is eagerly anticipating the season ahead.
“I-m very excited,” he said. “It-s a great opportunity to play with these boys; they have played at the highest level. So if I can learn from them and improve my game, hopefully I can be like them.”
“Being consistent is the key, if I can do that I can retain my spot in the squad.”
