Former Ghana international Shilla Illiasu Alhassan revealed the behaviour of King Faisal president Alhaji Karim Grunsah scuppered a transfer to Arsenal after his fine showing at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Then at Asante Kotoko, who signed him from Faisal, the defender caught the eye with a string of outstanding performances at centre-back after taking the place of Samuel Kuffour in the Black Stars' line-up after the disappointing 2-0 opening day defeat to Italy.
A bright showing in a 2-0 matchday two triumph over the Czech Republic cemented his place in the West Africans' side for the rest of the tournament, where Ghana exited in the Round of 16 after a 3-0 loss to Brazil.