The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Baboucarr Camara
27 December 2011
Gambia and NK Sencur defender Ousman Koli is hoping for a recall to the Scorpion’s setup for the first time in almost two years after having helped his Slovenian second division club to second place in the first half of the season and a place in the semifinals of the Slovenian cup. Ousman Koli, who was speaking exclusively to Observer Sports over the weekend is currently on a three-week holiday in the country and is set to depart tonight.
According to him, it has always been his dream since a child to play in the red colors of the Scorpions and since he has already had a taste of what it feels like playing for the country, he is already eyeing a quick return to the setup. He revealed his pain and frustrations for not making the cut for the previous games when he knew he can do something to help out his teammates. But he added that it all depends on the next coach and the GFA to invite him for a call up.
Having his say on the sacking of former coach Paul Put for the first time since his dismissal by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ous Koli, who labeled the Belgian as a great guy and a good coach said it was toughing for him after hearing the news but added they should have had a plan B when they made the decision to fire him. He indicated that they (the Scorpions) have learnt a lot from the former SK Lierse coach, noting that the decision came at a crucial moment.
According to the former Steve Biko and FC Red Bulls 93 defender, all the parties involved have to take responsibility whenever a national team fails while calling for the stop to the blame game. He added that the coach alone shouldn’t take the blame for a national team’s failure but so too the players, fans and even the administrators, while applauding the Gambian fans for what he called their continuous “support to me and my teammates”.
Speaking about his club NK Sencur, Koli said life has been very good to him since moving to the Eastern European country and had no cause for complaint. He revealed that he signed a one year contract with the team with the option of a further year but despite the club’s insistence for his renewal after making an immediate impact, for now he decided to focus on playing until the end of the season before making a decision on his long term future.
The former Gambia U-17, U-20 and U-23 defender confessed that he has already been approached by top flight clubs in Slovenia who scout his games in the second tier, but isn’t interested in negotiating a new contract with any club until after the end of the season with Sencur fighting for a place in the top for the 2012/13 season.
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