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 In preparation of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers,  your authoritative news magazine – Liberiansoccer.com will bring you exclusive interviews from  the holes and trenches where we find any hidden or exposed Liberian talent that we think should be included in this plan as the Lone Star frantically strive to restore its dwindling hope.

Interview: Liberiansoccer & Christian Essel - Zaytuna FC, Ghana

Liberiansoccer Senior Beat Reporter Wleh Bedell had been in the trenches and caught up Christian Essel, a young Liberian playing in the Ghanaian Premier League with Zaytuna FC, and had compiled this exclusive interview.

 WLEH BEDELL: Welcome to LiberianSoccer.com

Thank you.

 

WLEH BEDELL: The name “Sokapie” is relatively an unknown quantity as far as football in Liberia is concerned. Say something about yourself with respect to how you started playing football.

It all started when I was much younger at the Buduburam refugee camp. I remember very well that I was selected for the Buduburam School team in 1996 and featured for some clubs on the camp – Kiawu SC, Roza FC, Shoes FC and then to DISM (Camp team), which is the mother of all football clubs at Buduburam refugee camp.

WLEH BEDELL: Many Liberian football fans believe that it’s very difficult for a Liberian player to feature in the Ghanaian top flight. How did it all happen for you?

I must confess how difficult it can be trying to join a Premier club in Ghana, and my romance with Zaytuna FC is as a result of determination and prayers. I’ve always believed in my potentials and was recruited based on the recommendation of Clarence Lee Chea. MTN Sports Academy Head Coach, Ibrahim Sunday, watched me a couple of times and was impressed with my skills and decided to give me a chance.

WLEH BEDELL: Some say your club Zaytuna FC is not amongst the favorites to win the Ghanaian Premier League at the end of the season and it’s only avoiding relegation. What are your comments?

Our management wants us to be amongst the top ten teams at the end of the season because this is our first season in the Premier league and we’re doing everything within our grasp to achieve this goal. We’ve already caused a very big upset and probably we might get something better than what we’ve planned to achieve.

WLEH BEDELL: You came in as a 2nd half substitute on Week 13 of the Onetouch Premiership, which coincided with Ghana’s independence on March 6, and managed to score a spectacular goal against defending Champions Accra Hearts of Oak at the Ohene Dyan stadium in Accra. How did you feel?

 

 It was a dream come through and I felt very special because of the timing of the goal. We needed that goal to consolidate our lead because Accra Hearts of Oak was on our back when we were up 1-0. That goal helped to brighten my position in the team and I am also hoping to keep scoring great goals like that.

WLEH BEDELL: After your powerful strike that increased your team tally to 2-0, you celebrated with your hands all in the heavens reminiscent of 2007 World footballer of the year Ricardo Izacson Dos Santos Leite-Kaka. Are you a devout Christian?

I’m a Christian and go to church on a few occasions. I can’t call myself a devoted Christian but when God gives you something very special, you must show appreciation and that was exactly what I did after the goal and I think that was great.

 WLEH BEDELL: Zaytuna FC is now coached by ex-Lebanese international Omari Fadidi. How has he helped you improve your football?

 Coach Fadidi is a very good person and he has promised to give me time to develop. He tells me to be very disciplined, focused and to do my own training during my spare time because it will help me shape up well. I’ve learned a lot under him. My attitude towards the game has improved and I am also learning to control my habit and my body.
 

WLEH BEDELL: Your teammate Gideon Baah had almost three weeks trial at Chelsea FC in London late last year. How does that motivate you as a footballer who wants to play at the highest level?

 Gideon talks a lot about the way he was received at Chelsea FC and about the facility and the life of a professional football player. He makes you hungry for European football and I just wish I was there right away. He will be going back in the summer and we are wishing him well.

WLEH BEDELL: You had a stint in Israel and before then in Cameroon with. How was it and how did you get there?

 I went to Cameroon with the assistance of Coach Lee (Clarence Chea), Velmer Porte (Vice President – DISM) and Patrick Asossouhe (Local Manager) and that was in 2003. I was officially invited by Canon de Yaoundé through Theophilus Abega (Former Cameroonian international), but because of contractual problems, I was drifted into the squad of a newly promoted club BWD Bamenda. I helped them qualify for the CAF Cup at the end of the season, but didn’t remain there because of an offer from Greece.  I couldn’t travel to Greece because I was unable to get the visa in Nigeria.

       After a while, some scouts from Israel came to Ghana to look for players. A match was arranged between the DISM (Camp team) and Volta Warriors of Ghana and as God would have it, I was among three players from the Camp team that were selected – Francis Grandpa Doe, Christian Essel and Colester Major. Francis Doe couldn’t travel to Israel because DISM had another offer for him, so I went to first division side Roshon Itian of Israel. After the season, I returned to Ghana for vacation, but because of war with Lebanon, I never went back there.

WLEH BEDELL: Liberian professionals Francis Doe, Ben Teekloh, Zah Krangar and Dioh Williams are some of those you played with at Buduburam. They are now stars on the senior national team, the Lone Star. Would you accept an offer to wear your country’s jersey when invited?

 Certainly, I will accept an invitation to play for Liberia. It’s the dream of every player to represent his country and if Liberia comes knocking on my on my door, I will definitely open it.

WLEH BEDELL: Have you been able to watch any of the Lone Star’s matches especially those involving your colleagues who once played with you and what do you also think about the matches you have seen?

 Yes! I’ve watched some of Liberia’s matches in Ghana and on tapes and I remember the matches with Togo, Egypt and Ghana at the former Accra Sports Stadium. Liberia beat Egypt and Ghana and lost to Togo, but was impressed with the way they played because by then, we had a lot of experience players in the team.

WLEH BEDELL: Who has really influenced you in your career as a footballer?

Several people have influenced me and my father – Archie Essel is one person I owe a lot to. My former coach at Roza FC Roberto Weefur, Coach Gboi (Former Head Coach, DISM), Coach Lee (Technical team, Zaytuna FC), Patrick Togba, and I can go on and on.

WLEH BEDELL: Which club and player in any part of the world do you love the most?

 I love Arsenal FC of London. I love the club to the extent that I feel hurt they lose a match. My favorite player is Thierry “Danie Titi” Henry who now plays for FC Barcelona.

WLEH BEDELL: How do you rate the Ghanaian league? What do they do most? Is there much pace or skills? 
 

The Ghanaian league is very aggressive, tough and with lot of pace but there are limited individual skills. I do a lot running and combine that with my individual dribbling skills to add to the flair of my team.

WLEH BEDELL: If you were asked to name the top five Liberian players at the moment which names would you call?

I will choose Francis Doe, Zah Krangar, Ben Teekloh, Murphy Nagbe and Dulee Johnson.

WLEH BEDELL: A German called Antoine Hey has been appointed as head Coach of the Lone Star do you think it was a good decision or you would had preferred a local coach? 

I think it was the best decision. Liberian football is down and a foreign coach with great coaching background is indeed necessary to give it a lift.

WLEH BEDELL: Liberia is drawn in a strong group involving Senegal, Algeria and Gambia for the 2010 qualifiers. Do you think they can survive?

 Yes! I believe Liberia can qualify. The coach needs to be given all the support he needs to do his job.

WLEH BEDELL: What do you think about the level of football at Buduburam and what advice do you have for your colleagues who are still at the refugee camp?

 Football is improving at Buduburam and there are some many talented players and when they’re given the opportunity they can do great things. Money is one big issue. Some of the guys need football boots to keep training and others need just a little push to make it big.

 

WLEH BEDELL: What are your final words?

 I would like to urge the Liberian FA and the Ministry of Youth & Sports to find sponsorship for the local league to bring some level of encouragement for the players. Liberia is endowed with natural talents that need motivation.

WLEH BEDELL: It’s been a pleasure having you on Liberiansoccer.com.

Thank you very much!