Afriyie Acquah hopes a first senior goal in his maiden start for the Black Stars has put him in contention for a place at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana over the weekend secured their place at next year's continental finals in South Africa after 1-0 victory against Malawi in Lilongwe to sea a 3-0 aggregate result.

Acquah, on the books of Italian Serie A side, Parma is however not getting ahead of himself as he strives to work hard to play himself into Kwesi Appiah's final 23-man squad.

“I feel good and feel happy because that was my first game,” Acquah said.

“I think football is hard working so I am going to work hard to get the chance to play with my club and then when I work hard, I will get the chance to play in the national team.”

The 20 year-old midfielder who is trying to be a regular starter at club side, Parma says he is well aware of the competition for midfield places in the Ghana team.

“I am going to work hard and if I work hard, I think the coach will call me to play in the African Cup so I am going to train and work hard,” he explained.

However, he believes his club form will be crucial to making him a constant feature in the Black Stars set-up.

“Italian football is a little tactical and always the older players get to play. Sometimes I get the chance to play, sometimes I don’t get the chance to play. I think I am a younger player so I have the patience to wait. I am going to train hard and work hard then maybe I will get the chance to play.”

Acquah's debut for Ghana's senior team came in the friendly against Chile this year.