SPORTS LOUNGE writer Frank
Darkwah caught up with Sekondi Hasaacas and Black Satellites striker Samuel
Afful who was part of the local Black Stars team at the 2014 CHAN Tournament in
South Africa and had a short interview with him. Read what the 19 year old had
to say about his career
Tell us about yourself:
Born and bred in Takoradi, the Western Region of Ghana, very humble and like to follow my passion with optimism
Born and bred in Takoradi, the Western Region of Ghana, very humble and like to follow my passion with optimism
Why did you choose football
as a career?
I would say football means everything to me. In a nut shell football is my best friend.
I would say football means everything to me. In a nut shell football is my best friend.
How did your football
career start?
I started with Hasacas under 12 and later I was promoted to under 14, when Hassacas was relegated in 2010, I was the promoted to the senior team to join them in division one. Thankfully to God we are in the elite division.
I started with Hasacas under 12 and later I was promoted to under 14, when Hassacas was relegated in 2010, I was the promoted to the senior team to join them in division one. Thankfully to God we are in the elite division.
What has been your biggest
challenge in football so far?
I would say there hasn’t been any major challenge apart from some minor injuries.
I would say there hasn’t been any major challenge apart from some minor injuries.
How would you rate your current
club Hasaacas?
Satisfactory, but more room for improvement. When we returned into the premier league we had some poor result in our first six games. After the head coach was changed our performance has been brilliant under coach Yussif. Most of my colleagues including myself are playing in the elite division for the first time and that accounted for our dismissal performance early season.
Satisfactory, but more room for improvement. When we returned into the premier league we had some poor result in our first six games. After the head coach was changed our performance has been brilliant under coach Yussif. Most of my colleagues including myself are playing in the elite division for the first time and that accounted for our dismissal performance early season.
What are the chances of
Hasaacas, do you think you can make it to the top 4?
Yes I do. Because if I take our current form into consideration, I don’t think we can easily give up the top four berths to any team. Though we have to play Dwarfs, Aduana and Medeama but I hope we can snatch a top 4 finish.
Yes I do. Because if I take our current form into consideration, I don’t think we can easily give up the top four berths to any team. Though we have to play Dwarfs, Aduana and Medeama but I hope we can snatch a top 4 finish.
Apart from the under 20
team have you been invited to any of the junior teams?
Yes – I was part of the last under 17 team handled by Paa Kwesi Fabin and “Opeele” Boateng unfortunately I couldn’t make the final squad to the African Junior Tourney.
Yes – I was part of the last under 17 team handled by Paa Kwesi Fabin and “Opeele” Boateng unfortunately I couldn’t make the final squad to the African Junior Tourney.
How was the feeling when
you were first invited to the local Black Stars?
I was happy but wasn’t surprised. In the camp, I met some other colleagues who were friends already and I easily got use to the team’s play.
I was happy but wasn’t surprised. In the camp, I met some other colleagues who were friends already and I easily got use to the team’s play.
How does a typical day for
you look like? Do you like outing?
[Laughs] Always indoors, if am not at training, I try to do my personal training. I can’t even remember the last time I went out – I don’t like outings.
[Laughs] Always indoors, if am not at training, I try to do my personal training. I can’t even remember the last time I went out – I don’t like outings.
Which international team do
you support?
[Smiles] Barcelona
[Smiles] Barcelona
Why do you support them?
I like their style of play and on the field, they look disciplined.
I like their style of play and on the field, they look disciplined.
Who is your role model in
football?
[Smiles again] J. J. Okocha of Nigeria
[Smiles again] J. J. Okocha of Nigeria
Why do you choose him as
your role model?
He’s talented, very skillful and makes it very difficult for other players to dispossess him of the ball. He hardly missed opportunities.
He’s talented, very skillful and makes it very difficult for other players to dispossess him of the ball. He hardly missed opportunities.
What would you like to
become if not a footballer and why would you like to become that?
Musician. I think I see traces of a musician in me. [Says it with passion]
Musician. I think I see traces of a musician in me. [Says it with passion]
What has been your greatest
moment in your football career?
When Hasaacas qualified back into the elite division, I think the home game we played with Liberty at Essipon was also great. We won (3-1). I scored twice as a second half substitute.
When Hasaacas qualified back into the elite division, I think the home game we played with Liberty at Essipon was also great. We won (3-1). I scored twice as a second half substitute.
What has been your saddest
moment in football?
When King Faisal beat us 2-0 at the Tema Stadium to deny us a Premier League slot on 31st August, 2012. I wept like a baby and I don’t want to remember.
When King Faisal beat us 2-0 at the Tema Stadium to deny us a Premier League slot on 31st August, 2012. I wept like a baby and I don’t want to remember.
What has been your biggest
achievement in football?
I think I have so many miles to cover, but the CHAN Tournament is the biggest.
I think I have so many miles to cover, but the CHAN Tournament is the biggest.
Which team in Europe would
you like to play for?
Barcelona. As I said I like their style of football
What league in the world
would you like to play in?
Spanish La Liga. Their play is very good and I think I can learn from it. Every team likes to keep the ball. I would like to play in the Spanish La Liga.
Spanish La Liga. Their play is very good and I think I can learn from it. Every team likes to keep the ball. I would like to play in the Spanish La Liga.
What do you do before you
go into a football game?
I first pray to God then listen to music – when we are left with some few hours I relax and concentrate fully on the game.
I first pray to God then listen to music – when we are left with some few hours I relax and concentrate fully on the game.
What is your favorite dish?
Cornflakes and milk
Cornflakes and milk
What are your hobbies?
Reading the Bible and listening to music.
Reading the Bible and listening to music.
What are your expectations
in the next 5 years?
I will like to play for one of the best teams in Europe and also get the opportunity to play more for our Senior National Team (Black Stars)
I will like to play for one of the best teams in Europe and also get the opportunity to play more for our Senior National Team (Black Stars)
Ronaldo and Messi?
Messi
Messi
Mourinho and Guardiola?
Guardiola
Guardiola
EPL and La Liga?
La Liga
La Liga
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