Kwame Peprah is the ultimate team player in the current Kerala Blasters squad. Even though he has been fighting for minutes with target man Jesus Jimenez, Mikael Stahre's first-choice striker, Peprah is full of positivity.
"It is not about who starts or whether we (Jimenez) play together. It is about having the back of each other and motivating each other. The main aim is to get three points and win all matches for our fans," Peprah said ahead of Sunday's away match against Mumbai City.
The Ghanaian has often been Stahre's go-to man in the second half. He scored two goals off the bench, helping his side win on both occasions. He scored the winner against East Bengal late in the match. In the fifth round against Mohammedan Sporting, Peprah equalised within three minutes of entering play before Jimenez got the winner.
Last week, star attacker Noah Sadaoui's injury earned Peprah his first start this season in the 1-3 defeat to Bengaluru FC at home. Peprah's hard work earned the Blasters a penalty, calmly converted by Jimenez. The Blasters fans were treated to the sight of Peprah and Jimenez playing together a full game for the first time this season.
Peprah had at least two big chances in the match, but he couldn't replicate his super-sub form from the start. "It was unfortunate that I couldn't score. But it was a whole team effort, and luck wasn't on our side," Peprah said.
Peprah has already matched his goal tally from last season after playing in just half the number of games. Peprah's work ethic will be vital for the Blasters when they visit Mumbai for their fourth away match on November 3.