The Berkoe-mania continues

Correspondent: David Kyei, Sunyani 

2nd October 2007

Having scored seven goals in the ongoing tour of the country, the name of Eric Bekoe continues to make not only newspaper headlines but also on the lips of supporters of the club. Not only for the goals that he has been scoring with style, but also for his total work rate and contribution to the success of the club.

Displaying the qualities of a fully blown predator of a striker with a knack for scoring goals, Eric Bekoe, who responded to the nickname of a “Goal merchant” during his lower division days dazzled fans with his skills at the Sunyani Coronation Park last Sunday.

At the end of the match which he was clearly the man of the match, Eric scored two goals to ensure that he stayed on top of the unofficial goal king chart some fans are keeping on the pre-season matches.

Though many have started describing the fantastic form of a characteristic off-season behaviour of Kotoko players, the man who has been doing the great job of keeping the fans happy with his goals thinks otherwise.

“I am a different person who has set some targets for himself in Kotoko. I will therefore urge all to hold their breath and wait for the season to start to see of my form is for the off-season as some would want others to believe or not”

“As far as I am concerned, I enjoy goal scoring and so would be working hard to maintain whatever form I am in now for the coming season and beyond”

He told this paper that he was having a good time at Kotoko for special reasons and was therefore not surprised with his performance.

“In the first place, playing for Kotoko has been a childhood dream and so getting the chance to play now in itself is a motivating factor. Besides, my coaches have been taking turns to psyche me up even when there are no matches, so I am always in high spirits”

“My confidence level is very high and I would only wish that it stays this way for the rest of my playing career”.

Many Kotoko players have complained about the fact that supporters of the club exuded too much pressure on them, thereby making them jittery on the field of play. Surprisingly and quite strange, Eric says he is the opposite of that complaint.

“I have never been under pressure since I joined Kotoko and hopes that it remains same for me. As a player, my prime source of instruction and guidelines are the coaches, and since they do not and have not given me any course to feel pressure on me, I am always calm and enjoy myself during matches”

Describing Kotoko as a “great club with all it takes to be successful”, the goal machine says he is taking advantage of all the goodness the club offers to better his lot and also make the supporters happy.

“Though I do not allow the fans to bring pressure to bear on me, I want to state that I love them and enjoy the massive support that they offer us during matches. They should know that they would be better off and enjoy their game of football if they give the team their fullest support through prayers and thronging to the stadium in their numbers to support us”.

Though he has been having a nice time scoring goals in matches, Eric has stayed short of a hart trick on two different occasions. That not withstanding,  he says he has what it takes to hit  hart trick, but will require time.

“I do not to bring unnecessary pressure on myself by looking for a hart trick at all cost during matches. However, I would want to continue with the development of my confidence during this time”

“I am sure to be hitting it by the time the league starts. Until that time when I would be ready to do that, I will only ask for the prayer support of all to enable us all have a good time”.

“I cannot end my conversation with you without saying a special thank you to the numerous supporters of Kotoko who have been supporting we the players in diverse ways. We are committed to their happiness as long as they remain committed to their prayer support of the team”

“I have known Eric from his colts days, and can say that though he is not a stylish player who would delay on the ball, he has an eye for scoring goals, and the consistency with which he has been doing it here with Kotoko tells all that he is coming of age,” was the testimonial of head coach, Bashir Hayford on the performance of the goal machine.