TUCKER, St James — He is not the most vocal player in a noisy Montego Bay United (MBU) team, but their newest starter Nicholas Amponsah has made his presence felt as he immediately became a fixture in the centre of the defence.

The 20-year-old Ghana national took a chance to fly half way around the globe to join a team he had never heard of before he was contacted by the now departed head coach Roderick Underwood and seems to have found his niche.

“I am doing my best to fit in, it is not easy,” the player, who was nicknamed ‘African’ by his teammates, said.

“I came and saw so many senior players, some who have played for five seasons or more, so I am trying my best to fit in.”

Amponsah has played almost every single minute of the season so far, and in addition to being the fulcrum on which the defence operates, has also scored three goals, all headers at the far post from crosses.

“It all depends on how you play and how the coach wants to use you in the team and in games,” the former Achiken FC player told the Jamaica Observer in a recent interview.

So far he has partnered national representative Ladale Richie, or in the case on Sunday against Harbour View, Nicholas Stewart, in the heart of the defence.

Amponsah has mixed feelings with the season so far, as despite his consistent play, the team has not been able to make a run at the play-off spot.

“I am feeling good, (but) at times things don’t work the way I want it, but with God all things are possible… we are playing good, but a match we should win, we draw; matches we should draw we lose and each time I see the team on the league tables I cry, but we will improve,” said the Ghanian.

Back home in Africa, Amponsah said he captained the Adansi Hweremoase-based club Achiken FC team named after the owner in the National Division One competition, but jumped at the chance to play overseas when the opportunity presented itself.

After consulting with his agent and manager, took the “tough decision” to leave his family and everything that he knew for a culture he did not know.

“It was tough at first, but it depends on the agent and how serious you are… I spoke to the manager at Achiken FC and told him that I wanted to try to see if I could play overseas,” Amponsah said.

He admitted to getting homesick at times, but claims he keeps “in touch” with his family.

“We talk every day, every day. I miss my family, my mom and dad, yes I am a little home sick, everything about me is my family, they are the reason why I am here and I want to give back to them and to society,” he noted.

Amponsah hopes to leave a legacy at MBU.

“I feel part of the team and so when I am gone they will still talk about me… they will say ‘African came here and scored and played well’,” he said.

“I am proud of my heritage and hope to represent Africa here,” Amponsah added.