Joe "Afriki" Debrah, arguably one of the best performers of our game of football in the early and mid parts of the last decade, due to his brilliant ball control skills and amazing goal scoring instincts has returned to Ghana after a sojourn in Germany. He visited the Kotoko training grounds last week to greet the technical men in charge of the club, led by German, capo, Ernst Middendorp.
Camp News caught up with the ex-Black Stars, Kotoko and Goldfields star at his residence in Ahodwo, where he stays with wife, Adwoa Debrah, nee Adwoa Kankam and three kids, Marika 7, Lena 5 (both girls) and Yanick Debrah 4, the only boy.
Joe spoke about the reason for his desertion of Kotoko to Goldfields, his perception of Kotoko today, and about his future.
Camp News (CN) - Welcome back home to Ghana. Ghanaians would want to know where you have been and what you have been doing for all this while.
Joe Debrah (JD) - Thank you so very much. I was in Germany keeping myself busy and active.
CN: Keeping your self busy. Meaning?
JD: Honestly, I left Ghana with the hope of quitting football but the urge to continue playing overpowered the desire to quit so I decided to seek proper medical treatment for my knee and after undergoing a very successful treatment I returned onto the pitch to play very active football in a lower division club, PROISTEN in Germany. As you can see I look more trimmed than I used to be when I was in Ghana. Somebody who has stopped playing cannot have this physique (pointing to his tummy and biceps). Only a few people knew what I was doing. One of such people was George Ayisi Boateng of Goil, Asafo. So in short I have been playing very actively.
CN: Playing like the Joe Debrah of the 90s?
JD: Even better than that, and scoring at will!
CN: You made mention of an initial decision to quit football. What prompted that decision?
JD: Yes, the injury I sustained in La C?te d'Ivoire is not news. Now, when I returned to play for Kotoko at that time, I had to struggle to cope and when I moved to Goldfields it got no better so I thought of quitting then.
CN: Are you saying you left Kotoko for Goldfields due to injury?
JD: That was not the reason. I must be frank that I quit Kotoko then because of false charges of bribery levelled against me by the then Chairman, Georgido. You know in the '96 league, we beat Hearts of Oak 2-1 in Kumasi. I scored Kotoko's first goal by connecting a Prince Amoako cross after a hard run of about 70 metres. After the game Georgido told me that I had wanted to squander that chance but only got punished by God thus I failed to squander it. I felt bad but I only got to know the reason for his action later and though it still sounds most strange to me I prefer not to go into details for now. And when I had gone to Goldfields there were moments some people were always at hand to abuse me during our matches. The accusations made me an instant enemy of the fans who were not aware of what was going on.
CN: You made mention of the '96 league match against Hearts. You played against the late Shamo Quaye then. What was the kind of relationship between you and the late Shamo?
JD: May his soul rest in peace. Shamo was a very close pal of mine off the field. We were always together whenever we were in the national camp and got in touch whenever we broke camp. He was a nice pal whose absence I sorely miss.
CN: You've watched Kotoko play on your return. How do you compare them to your time?
JD: I must confess the Kotoko of today is a bundle of talented stars. As I watched them play against RTU last Sunday the little ones, especially Stephen Oduro constantly surprised me with wonderful dribbling and passes. But quite frankly, apart from Nana Frimpong and Joe Okyere all of them were inexperienced enough. When I personally joined the club, I met the likes of Sarfo Gyamfi, Akwasi Appiah and Abdul Razak who taught me a lot so I am of the view that with the kind of quality youngsters the club's possession of a few experienced additions will be of use.
CN: Experienced ones like?
JD: (A smile) I don't know of any for now.
CN: How do you see the running of Kotoko by the present management?
JD: You see, it's not been long since I returned so I can't say much and again I love playing than talking. But from what I was hearing when I was in Germany and what I have seen so far I can say that the club is being managed professionally. After all the players are taken care of in times of injury and their salaries, I hear are the biggest in the country as far as football is concerned. They are on course.
CN: In a couple of days Kotoko will be playing Hearts of Oak in Kumasi. How do you compare the atmosphere of this time and that of yours?
JD: At the risk of sounding boastful, I was always happy and not me alone; all of us were excited when we were to play Hearts because we were optimistic of beating them. I do not know the feeling amongst the players today but I hope they are hopeful.
On the other hand I think quite a negative hype has been going on from certain media quarters that is not in the best interest of the game. Matches involving the two sides, whether competitive or not are played in a tension-packed atmosphere but not in the negative sense as is being portrayed today. That should not be the case.
CN: Kotoko have not beaten Hearts in a league match ever since your '96 2-1 victory. Can the tables turn?
JD: Why not? Everything is possible in the game of football.
CN: You sound like a Kotoko supporter. Are you?
JD: I was perhaps born like that.
CN: Now what again on your return?
JD: I intend to stay home; after all home is always a home, and play again.
CN: Play for which club?
JD: I've not decided on one for now but will be ready to settle with any side that shows good interest in me.
CN: By any side do you mean Hearts and Goldfields inclusive...and Kotoko?
JD: A hard question but I'd prefer we rather wait a little bit.
CN: Kotoko?
JD: (Prolonged laughter)
CN: Any message for the people out there?
JD: I think this is the finest opportunity for me to explain matters. I irked so much as a result of my movement from Kotoko. I want to say that I was forced by circumstances beyond my control. I am sorry for the disappointment and plead for forgiveness. I love them and will always need them.
CN: Thanks very much for your time.
JD: You are always welcome.
