Interview with Eric Bekoe

FORMER Asante Kotoko prolific goal poacher, Eric Bekoe is the next football icon to take his place in the 90 MINUTES interview spot. Bekoe, who now plays for Suez based Petrojet, talks to us about his new challenges in Egypt, his goals for both club and country and most importantly, how important it is for him to hold a regular place in Coach Milovan Rajevac's Black Stars. Below are excerpts.

90 MINUTES: You were linked with a number of clubs before you joined Petrojet in the Egyptian league. What happened?

Eric Bekoe: Nothing really happened. It's true I was linked with a host of clubs but in the end Petrojet tabled a good offer which was too good to turn down so I signed for them. The Egyptian league is of higher quality so I intend to use this platform to make a name for myself en route to Europe.

What was the most difficult moment in your career?

I believe my stint with Liberty Professionals would pass for one. I had limited playing chances there and got so disillusioned that at one point, I thought football was not part of me. But some well-wishers stood by me and I was able to make it through those moments as a professional footballer. Secondly, everyone in Ghana would remember the “Naa Coleman, Naa Bekoe” episode in that Hearts/Kotoko cliffhanger. After that game on our way back to Kumasi, I collapsed in the bus and all of a sudden it became a matter of life and death. But thanks to His mercies, I am still alive to showcase his love for me.

Were you that eager to leave Kotoko despite playing only a season for the 2007/08 league champions?

I would say yes because I needed a fresh challenge after my heroics with Kotoko and especially after re-writing history with the club which was made possible through my colleagues and Coach Bashir Hayford. You would remember that I was honoured for winning two goal king awards; in Ghana and in the whole of Africa as well. I was also rated amongst the world top scorers chart on IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics). I thought at the moment that I needed another challenge for people to realise that my exploits that season was no fluke. But with Petrojet, I know my best is yet to come.

What is the difference between the Ghanaian and Egyptian leagues?

The Egyptian league is more professional and also measures up to the competitive standards of some of the most famous leagues worldwide. If you can make it here, then you can equally make it in Europe. Their style of play, system of managing and their salary cap for professional footballers tells it all.

You are in your second season for Petrojet. What has been the experience so far? I joined Petrojet in the second round of the league last season and played 13 games, scoring 6 goals in the process. This season, I've played one and scored 1 goal and to me that is a sign of good things to come. Again, the quality of players in this Petrojet side is good which I believe would aid our push for the title this year.

How did you feel when you were invited to the Black Stars for the game against Zambia?

The news was welcoming though it has not been an effortless fight for me to stake a claim in the team. It has not been easy but I know that the Good Lord would help me cement a place in the team. I believe my hard work with Petrojet last season also helped a lot and I'm not prepared to look back.Â

Ghana is top of their group in the 2010 IFA World Cup qualifying series. Can you see anything going wrong en route to South Africa?

I can't foresee anything going wrong because there is a high sense of professionalism and commitment among the players. It would be good for me as a young player to be in Angola and South Africa respectively and hope to make the cut. I know with God, my efforts would not go unnoticed.

How are you coping with your increasing popularity?

To be a star is easy but coping with stardom is a problem to many. I always pray to God to fill me with the passion and desire to satisfy the people who look up to me as a role model. I am always working hard to raise high the good image of Ghana.

Your final word to your fans… I thank them immensely for their support. I pray that with the love that they have shown me, they would also be blessed in abundance with all their heart desires.