Samba O’Neil is becoming a household name in Ghana football after joining Asante Kotoko and leading the club to some memorable victories so far.
First was in the Democracy Cup when the central defender handled Hearts of Oak players easily and toiled with them throughout the match.
Experts described him as one to watch and truthfully ,he showed the same during the pre-season matches of Kotoko ,even earning the trust of his colleagues as he became the deputy captain to Frederick Asare and Justice Blay.
The player is said to be trusted very much by Kotoko coach Prosper Ogum to the extent that he is one of the few players the coach read his game plans to, ask of his opinion and allowed to give instructions to fellow players.
The coach has built his defence around him and he is seen as a player with no or little mistakes .Indeed he captained Kotoko in their first league match against Karela and what a game he had to help Kotoko snatch all the three points in a 1-0 win courtesy of Albert Amoah.
But for the extra performance of goalkeeper Mohammed Camara, Samba would have been named as the player of the match. Prosper Ogum showered praises on the player and revealed how he is about to excite football fans in Ghana.
“I’m not surprised because I’ve followed him over a period,more than three years now and finally I’ve gotten him and he’s playing ” said Ogum on how long he has waited to grab the defender.
“I know his capabilities, ,defensive capabilities,he is a ball playing centre back,he has a lot of energy ,he has a lot of strength ,he has a lot of vision,and he is calm on the ball,and his sense of anticipation is very good “.
“He is a good quality player so for me I am not surprised he is playing the way he is playing . I’m just hoping that he will keep his focus and even do more.
Let me tell you,you’ve not seen the best of him,he is a very top player and he is ready to work so we need to support him as a team to bring out the best in him”.
Attackers are warned that in Kotoko’s defence is a towering wall built to intimidate and break down any threats and that wall is marshalled by a certain giant Samba ,who is also capable of scoring goals .
