By: Bernard Nyankomago Yeboah

Date: 17-10-11

Though he is yet to win silverware with Asante Kotoko, strong midfielder Albert Bruce has described his movement from Berekum Arsenal to the Porcupine fold as a blessing to him.

Speaking to Kotoko Express over the weekend, Albert Bruce hinted that many important things have happened in his life since joining the club. He said besides the fame he has achieved for himself, through Kotoko he has also got the opportunity to play for some national teams including the home based Black Stars and the Black Satellite team that participated in the African Youth Championship in South Africa in April this year.

His dream of playing in Europe has also been fulfilled since he has secured a deal with Poland Premiership side, Legia Warsaw FC and is currently preparing to join them when the transfer window opens in January.

Below are details of the extensive interview:

Kotoko Express (KE): It’s been a while now?

Albert Bruce (AB): Oh I have been around!

KE: I did not see much from you during the pre season. Where were you?

AB: After the league I embarked on some trials outside the country. I first went to Turkey and had some trials with Kayseri Eyscierspor together with Nana Poku, the Berekum Arsenal player who won the 2010/11 Glo Premier League Goal King. I impressed them but the offer they gave me was not the best so I returned home. I later on I went to Poland and had a two week trial with Legi Warsaw FC. This time round everything went successfully. Officials of both Kotoko and Warsaw have agreed on terms. I have also signed a pre-contract with them to show my commitment. I am waiting for the January transfer window to open so that I will sign the main contract and join them fully.

KE: Good to hear this. But one may argue that Poland football is not all that developed so why will you like to leave a club like Kotoko to join Legi Warsaw FC?

AB: It’s never true. Poland football is developed just that we don’t have access to watch their premier league like the way we follow the English Premiership, Serie A and Bundesliga .They are very advanced in terms of training facilities. This Legi Warsaw FC is one of the biggest clubs in Poland. At least every year they play in either the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa Cup.  I watched one of their UEFA Europa Cup matches against Russian side Spartak Moscow which ended 2-2. So nobody should make a mistake that Poland is not a place to play football.

KE: What do you think motivates our local players to always leave the country and continue their football career elsewhere?

AB: A lot of factors Bernard! But the major one among them is money. Maybe we at Kotoko are very lucky to be paid well. Besides we also receive other incentives and bonuses from management and our supporters. But if you go to other clubs it’s a pity. Players there only rely on their small monthly salary and maybe winning bonus. Even that it sometimes take months before it comes. But I don’t think that is the case in Europe. So if you are playing for such a club and the opportunity comes definitely you will leave because there is life after football.

KE: Well understood! I am hoping that things will improve here so that the player exodus will be reduced. Now tell me have you met your target at Kotoko so far?

AB: Not all but I will say my arrival in the team has been a blessing to me. Nobody knew me when I was playing for Berekum Arsenal though I was good. But Kotoko has propelled me to a great height. Now most people know me. Apart from that I have also got the chance to play for the home based Black Stars and the Black Satellites. But for Kotoko maybe I would not have got the chance to play for these teams. It’s a big privilege to me.

KE: How did you fare in your first season with Kotoko in the 2010/11 football season?

AB: I could not do much as expected because of national assignments. I started with the national U-20 team, the Black Satellites right from the qualifier up to the African Youth Championship itself. Somewhere along the line I was also invited by Coach Kwasi Appiah to play for the home based Black Stars in their mini tournament in Freetown when Serra Leone was celebrating their independence day. So I spent much of my time with the national teams. But now my focus is on Kotoko. I want to help them make a great impact in the league before probably I leave.

KE: What caused the downfall of the Satellites in South Africa because you were the defending champions of the African Youth Championship?

AB: I think it was one of those things in football. Two years ago luck came to our side and Sellas Tetteh and his boys conquered Africa and the world. This time round luck eluded us so we could not make any progress in the tournament. Let’s accept it in good faith and do our home work well to ensure that it will not happen again.

KE: How did you feel when Coach Ebo Mends left Kotoko because he brought you to the club?

AB: At a point I felt bad because he trained me at Berekum Arsenal and also brought me to Kotoko. But I later realized that there was no way a coach can stay at a particular club for ever so I just put it behind me and concentrated on my training.

KE: What has been your happiest or saddest day in Kotoko?

AB: My happiest day at Kotoko was when I scored the winning goal in Kotoko’s 3-2 triumph over Asokwa based Deportivo FC in the round of 32 of last season’s MTN FA Cup to qualify to the 1/16 stage. I always cherish that day. Then our 1-0 defeat to Hearts in last season’s league in Kumasi is a day I quickly want to forget. Aside the score line I also did not play well in that game.

KE: How do you see Kotoko’s chances in the ongoing league?

AB: I think we have good materials to win the cup. We only have to be focused in every match we play.

KE: What’s your final word?

AB: I want to take this opportunity to thank my fiancee, Kate Agiako. In fact she has been very helpful in my life. She always motivates me before and after every game. May God bless her. Not forgetting Kotoko supporters and management. I thank them for the wonderful manner they keep supporting me. I assure them of my best performance all the time.