By: Bernard Nyankomago-Yeboah

Date: 28-04-11

Former Black Starlets goalkeeper, Nana Bonsu, has promised in an interview to offer his best to the Porcupine Warriors and help the team make a great impact next season if given the chance by management and the technical staff.

Though he admits that Kotoko has quality goalkeepers now, he believes he also has the potential and experience to make it into the regular team.

Below are excerpts of the interview he had with Bernard Nyankomago Yeboah.

Nice meeting you.                                                                                                            It’s a pleasure.

Who is Nana Bonsu?                                                                         I’m a hardworking Goalkeeper and a Christian as well. I was born to Mr. Kwame Oduro and Madam Agnes Amissah on December 1, 1988 at Saltpond in the Central Region. I’m the second born among six siblings, four boys and two girls.

Are you the only professional footballer among your siblings?    For now I will say yes. Some of my brothers are also passionate about the game but they are not practicing it at the moment. I do not know whether any of them will change their mind to follow my footsteps one day.

So how did you become a Goalkeeper?                                        My father used to take me along to watch Kotoko matches and training activities when I was a kid. I remember one league match between Kotoko and Hearts in Kumasi in which Goalkeeper Anthony Osei Kwadwo was simply fantastic on the day. He won my heart with his courage and spectacular saves. Since that day he became my mentor. I started emulating him and that was how I became a Goalkeeper.

Have you ever got the chance to meet Osei Kwadwo, your mentor?

Yes. I remember he watched me play one day in a lower division match in Kumasi. After the game he came to congratulate me and told me that I would surely become Kotoko Goalkeeper one day if I keep training hard. I believe his prophecy is about to come true. I’m a member of his Fan Club in Kumasi by name “Ashanti Goalkeepers Fan Club”. So we do meet sometimes. The group comprises most of the top Goalkeepers in the Ashanti Region.

What clubs have you played for so far.?                                          I started my Colts football with Kumasi based Cornerstones before joining Stay Cool in the division one league. By dint of hard work at Stay Cool Coach David Duncan spotted and invited me into the national U-17 team, the Black Starlets that won Silver medal in the 2005 African U-17 Championship in Gambia. I also played in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru. From Peru I came back to join Liberty Professionals and subsequently to Berekum Chelsea and R.T.U.

Did you achieve any laurels with any of these Clubs?                 Yes I was part of the Liberty team that won the Ghalca Top Four trophy at the expense of Kotoko about three seasons ago though I couldn’t feature in the final game in Kumasi because of injury. I also helped Chelsea to chalk some important victories in their first season in the premiership.

Can you share with us your experience with the Black Starlets?                                    

I felt great and excited when Coach Duncan invited me into the team because it was my first encounter with the national team. I featured in virtually all the qualifying matches for the Gambia 2005 U-17 Tournament. When the competition began I was the first choice goalie. Unfortunately I sustained injury in our second game against Mali and that kept me out for about three games. I came back to the post and helped Ghana defeat Cote d’Ivoire at the semi final stage before we were robbed the ultimate trophy by the host nation, Gambia in the final. 

Why do you feel you were robbed?                                                    Yes we were robbed. We did not lose the game because the manner we conceded the lone goal was pathetic. How can a referee allow a goal when it was clear that a fan had stormed the pitch and interfered with play? Even CAF did not say anything about it. It was a total disgrace to Africa football.

After that splendid display in Gambia the whole nation was expecting another good show in Peru but that wasn’t the case. You were eliminated at the group stage. What happened?                                                                                                     Honestly speaking, that horrible incident in Gambia had a telling effect on most of us, but we still tried our best just that luck eluded us in the tournament.

Back to Kotoko. You have been training with the team for about a month now. How have you fared and what are your expectations?                                     

Everything is cool. I am really enjoying my training with the team. Everybody is kind to me. I am only hoping that management will register me for the next season and I will also contribute my quota to the development of the club.

Are you not scared looking at the Goalkeepers around?              Not at all. I accept that the likes of Isaac Amoako, Soulama, George Arthur and Rashid Seidu are good Goalkeepers but I also believe in myself. I am only looking up to the opportunity and I will prove my worth to all.

How do you rate Kotoko’s chances in the League and FA Cup?   It is bright. The team is in good shape and has players who are also willing to die for the club. I know this sign of unity and determination will help Kotoko to annex the FA Cup no matter the challenge. But as for the league it’s a little bit dicey looking at the point’s difference between Kotoko and Chelsea. However I think there is no way the second position will elude Kotoko.

Has football done you any good?                                                      Yes football has done me a lot of good so I will encourage those who have the talent to be serious about it.

Thanks for your time                                                                                                       It’s a pleasure