By: Bernard Nyankomago-Yeboah

Date: 18-07-11

Rugged defender Henry Ohene Brenya started the 2010/11 Glo Premier League on a promising note. His strength, pace and tackles in the Kotoko rear guard was simply amazing.

Unfortunately, he injured his right knee in an attempt to clear a 50-50 ball when Kotoko beat Aduana Stars 3-0 in the 21^st week fixture at the Baba Yara Stadium. This kept him out of most matches. Though he recovered fully before the curtain on the Glo Premier League was brought down, much was not seen from him like he did prior to his injury.

When Kotoko Express caught up with him on Sunday, Ohene Brenya said he was working hard to carve a niche for himself in the team in order to play regularly in the forthcoming 2011/12 football season.

Below are excerpts of the extensive interview:

Kotoko Express (KE): How are you doing?

Ohene Brenya (OB): By the grace of God everything is well.

KE: It’s been a while now since we saw you in Kotoko matches. Are you still recuperating from the injury you sustained in the Kotoko-Aduana league match in Kumasi?

OB: No. I am fully fit now. I have always been part of the team just that I don’t get regular play because John Kuffour who replaced me when I got injured has been doing the work to satisfaction.

KE: How does it feel warming the bench?

OB: It’s sometimes boring but I cannot complain. Remember when I was playing John Kuffour too was sitting at the bench. Now his time has come and he is making good use of it. I am not disappointed at all. So far as we get the necessary results, I am okay with it. I am working hard to fight back for regular position in the team.

KE: How do you feel in your first season with Kotoko?

OB: I am happy. The first round of the league was quite hectic. We lost some matches which we could not believe ourselves. But the second round was perfect. We did marvellously well in virtually all the remaining matches we played. I hope if we work hard we can go far next season.

KE: What do you think brought the changes in the second round?

OB: I think it was hard work and to some extent good luck. In the first round luck eluded us in most matches but the case was different in the second round.

KE: Kotoko conceded 27 goals in the league. Most people believe the defenders were not up to the task? What is your take on this?

OB: Whether the defenders did well or not is not important for now. The league is over so I don’t think there is the need to apportion blames or point accusing fingers at individuals. Let’s put everything behind and rather focus on how to prepare well in the off-season so that we will not repeat our mistakes when the league starts.

KE: How did you feel when Coach Ebo Mends left Kotoko because he brought you from Berekum Arsenal into the team?

OB: It was somewhat painful because he gave me the opportunity to play for Kotoko. But it did not have any negative effect on me. I am a professional player and I am always ready to work with any coach management will bring to steer affairs of the technical bench.

KE: Coach Maxwell Konadu has come on board to assist Korak. How are you faring under his tutelage?

OB: It’s been interesting. Everything that he has taught us so far is well understood. He is such a nice man I urge the supporters to lend their unflinching support behind him in order to make his work a success.

KE: Based on what you saw from Kotoko in the just ended league, how will you rate the chances of the team in the forthcoming 2011/12 football season?

OB: I think Kotoko have a good chance of winning the league next season looking at the players available in the team now. The only thing we need to do is to prepare adequately in the off-season. I have realized that most teams that prepare well in the off-season always have a good start in the league.

KE: Are you under any pressure to win Sunday’s FA Cup final match against Nania FC at the Ohene Djan Stadium?

OB: Not at all. Nania FC is a good side but I don’t think they can cause any upset on Sunday. We are determined to win the cup to appease our fans and also get the chance to play in Africa next year.

KE: I wish you good luck in the game

OB: Thank you. I want the supporters to come in their numbers and support us for they will surely return home happy.