Ghana winger Albert Adomah has revealed how he went from selecting himself for the Black Stars team on computer games to making the 2013 AFCON squad.
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Adomah, who plays for Bristol City, a second tier club in England, was initially left out of Ghana's squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
But coach Kwesi Appiah last week named Adomah in his final squad which begin their campaign against Congo DR on Sunday, much to the player's delight.
"I spoke to my Dad on the same day that the final 23 was announced and he said that he had been worried at work all day," Adomah told BBC Sport.
"When I told him the good news he told me all the stress came out of his body because he was so excited for me. I made his day and my whole family were very excited for me."
Born in London, the 25-year-old lived in Ghana with his grandparents until the age of nine.
His early years as a footballer did not hint at an international career - Adomah started out at amateur club Old Meadonians in west London, before moving to non-league Harrow Borough at the age of 18.
That was followed by a move to Barnet in England's fourth division (League Two), before being snapped up by the Robins.
And it is at Ashton Gate where he made the radar of Ghana's football officials, leading to an international debut against Brazil in September 2011.
Adomah claims his rapid rise to the top is still sinking in.
"All my friends that I used to play football with in the park are all really proud of me too so I can't wait now," he said.
"Not long ago I was working and just playing in the park. I used to watch people like Asamoah Gyan on Match of the Day and now I'm actually playing in the same team as him.
"I even used to be Ghana on FIFA and other computer games but now I can pick myself in the team. It's unbelievable."
It's been the stuff of dreams for Adomah, who has clearly not been picked just to make up the numbers in South Africa.
He has been given the Black Stars' number 10 shirt for the African showpiece in the absence of Marseille playmaker Andre Ayew.
"In Ghana, the number 10 shirt is very important because of Abedi Pele so straight away they assume that I'm there to fill his son's boots," Adomah added.
"But it's only a number so I'm just trying to play my game and do my best. It shows faith that the coach gave me the number but I don't feel any extra pressure because of it."
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