Former Hearts of Oak star and now member of the club’s technical team, Esme Mends has heaped praises on the quality of the squad, and have identified one player as a standout performer who he believes will live to become a national asset for the national teams if taken care of by the club.
According to Esme, former Hearts of Oak Youth side star Abdul Umar Manaf Jnr, presently an established attacking midfielder in the Hearts of Oak’s first team set up is an outstanding player whose qualities stands out among the other players of the club, and can become a national team jewel if he continues to explore his talents well and the club protects him as much as possible.
Speaking to ghanasportspage.com in an exclusive interview, the professional football player scout outlined the qualities of Manaf which underscores the fact that he has the potentials to rise to the top. Esme Mends was asked of which player he sees in the Hearts of Oak squad who has what it takes to become a national asset, and without a second thought, the former Phobian midfield gem named Abdul Umar Manaf.
“It’s Manaf, yes, Manaf”, Esme began. I am even surprised that during the national team call ups when they called the local boys they didn’t call him. But it’s okay, I don’t have any issues with the coaches, but for Manaf we have to take care of him, we need to protect that boy because, one day he will become something. If keeps his football serious, plays well and listens to instructions, he will go far”, he predicted.
When asked of what makes Manaf exceptional to his other teammates who he (Esme) has described as players with high quality, he maintains that Manaf’s eagerness to win at all times, fighting spirit and his burning desire to not only help the team but also to urge his teammates on anytime some of them get discouraged on the field of play makes him an exceptional player.
Manaf has so far scored 3 goals this season in the league for Hearts of Oak as a midfielder, and Esme Mends believes that the player’s ability to add goals to his exceptional play is another extraordinary quality to admire of him.
“His work rate, you know, he works hard on the field and personally he gets results. You know he scores, his job is not to score, he is a midfielder but not necessarily to score goals, but you see he scores goals because of his work rate and he’s willing to help the team. When some are down he is always willing to help, he tracks back, always you see him fighting (for the ball) and that is even part of reasons why he gets booked at times, he works so hard”, he explained.
Mends was also quick to acknowledge the quality in some other players in the squad which he sees as being splendid. “Others are super, super players. Our left back for instance (referring to Congolese international Raddy Ovouka), me I have always said if possible we (Ghana) should naturalise him because he is good and he can help Ghana. You know we have good quality in (Frederick) Ansah Botchway and the likes, you know we have very good players, Nuru Sulley, fantastic, but Manaf for me stands out because of his work rate. When I was a player, how I played, when I’m playing I don’t want to lose and I always fight, and I see that thing in Manaf and I believe he’ll go far”, he stressed.
