Former Ghana international, Awudu Issaka has opened up on his conversion from Islam to Christianity.
The Sunyani-born football star grew up in a typical Moslem home but decided to become a follower of the Jesus Christ after an experience in a Malaysian prison.
In a bid to resurrect his career, Awudu Issaka traveled to Malaysia with hopes of securing a deal.
Upon arrival in Malaysia, Awudu discovered that the amount of money stipulated in the contract offered by a Malaysian club was way below his expectations. He thus decided not to commit his future to the club.
In the course of his stay in Malaysia, the under-17 World Cup winner was apprehended for overstaying his visa and served a three-month jail term.
It was during his time in prison that he supposedly experienced his calling.
Detailing his ordeal in prison and the strange prison experience to Television CK, Awudu Issaka said while pondering over his future, the Biblical Jesus Christ and four angels paid him a surprise visit and assured him that he was going to be released and that he has been called to serve God.
According to Issaka, his decision to cross carpets was not well received by some close relations who still harbor some resentment against him.
“It’s good to do the work of the Lord. God has called me. He called me whiles I was in prison. I was in prison for three months and that when God called me. I want to play football in Malaysia and when I got there, the contract they gave me had a problem so I decided to return. I was arrested by immigration at the airport.”
“By the time I realized, I had been sent to court and found guilty. They jailed me for two years but by the grace of God I spent only ninety days. I saw Jesus at the prison with four angels. He told me I will be released and doing his works”
“To come to Jesus as Muslim is not easy but God called me so I will beg my Muslim friends who are offended to know that I did not design my life. It’s what I went through that Jesus Christ called me”.
Awudu played for RSC Anderlecht, French club AJ Auxerre and German Bundesliga club TSV 1860 München among others.
He played for the Ghana under-17 team in the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1995 in Ecuador. Issaka also took part in the FIFA World Youth Championship 1997 in Malaysia, where Ghana finished fourth.
