Krc Genk?s Bennard Kumordzi Speaks About The Successes Of The Just Ended Season And Looks Ahead With Determination
Midfielder Bennard Kumordzi is among the few Ghanaian players who won trophies abroad last season after clinching the Belgian Cup title.
The 28-year-old lanky middle-man completed over 28 regular season games for Genk and also made his third appearance in the Europa League, playing against German giants Stuttgart and other stellar clubs.
The midfielder who combines aggression, artistry, skill, dexterity and flair has been chatting with Ghanasoccernet.com?s Akyereko Frimpong Manson in a long-running interview from his home in Ghana.
Read the full interview below.
GSN: You moved to Genk from Dijon and surprisingly commanded starting spot and became a regular throughout the entire season. How do you feel about that?
BK: For me I think its great to at least move to Belgium and get some playing time because normally its always difficult to adapt to some leagues but I think I worked hard and by the grace of God I got some games. For me it was not enough because I know what I can do and what I did in Genk so I hope for more games next season.
GSN: Were you that confident you were going to start straight up at Genk before you moved from Dijon?
BK: Yeah of course because I think the French League is one step ahead of the Belgium league so when I was moving I knew that even though I was moving to a big club I knew I would get my position back. From the beginning it was a little bit difficult because I went there late and the coach had his team before I went so I had to fight my way into the team and by the grace of God I was able to do it and I?m happy about that.
GSN: You enjoyed a successful spell in the Europa League but got kicked out by Stuttgart. How was the experience like for you?
BK: Yeah of course, for me it was my third year playing in the Europa League so I had a little bit of experience you know. So as I said my almost all the games in the Europa League for my team. I think we learnt a lot and this season was the first time in Genk?s history that they reached this level in the Europa League. Until now I have not seen any transfer from our team so if we still keep the game team for next season I think we would do better.
Four goals from four headers ? Bennard Kumordzi conceals a potent weapon with his head
GSN: Were you disappointed with Genk?s exit from the competition?
BK: Yeah little bit because we had a good game in Stuttgart and we lost in our home grounds. I don?t think that was normal. They were lucky because the time they scored the goal also important so we lost the game.
GSN: And you scored in the Cup final and won it for Genk.
BK: The feeling was great you know, I had been imaging that for a long time and I thank God that it came to past. I missed just one game in the Cup and scored two goals and one of the goals was very very very important. I got very happy after scoring and with that goal, I got more of the club?s fans getting behind me. I think its helping me to progress more in Belgium.
GSN: You had the chance to clinch what would have been a major achievement. The Pro League title but you missed out on the title after the Championship Play-offs.
BK: Yeah I felt a little bit disappointed because getting to the middle of the play-offs we lost some two games and the team gave up because we already had the Cup and we were already qualified to play in Europe so the team gave up. We were not all that disappointed because we were already in Europe.
GSN: What was the ultimate highlight of last season? Was it that 86th minute goal you score in the final?
BK: No! It was a Europa League game against Basel in Switzerland, it was my first start for the club and it was against a club who have been doing well in Europe and I had a great game so that was the best moment of last season. The final goal too was a great moment and I was happy ? I was actually lost on the field. I had been imagining it for a long time.
GSN: How does it feel to score in a big Cup final like that?
BK: Its absolutely great. You can?t explain the feeling. You score and it was also the last minute so you can imagine how dignifying that is.
GSN: There are a lot of Ghanaian players in Belgium namely Opare, Dickoh, Adu-Kofi, Yakeen-Iddi, Kudemor and the rest. How is the relationship between you guys? Do you talk?
BK: Yeah, we all have a good relationship. Anytime we meet we talk about football and about life. How things are going and I think is great. For the Belgium league I think is a good league for us. I said the French league is a step ahead of the Belgium league but it is more tactical and it helps a player to grow and learn more about football so that is the advantage of the Belgium league.
GSN: What?s the target for next season?
Success ? Kumordzi scored in the FA Cup final in Belgium
BK: For me I still want to win more trophies with Genk and then for the club. I think we always stay open for the trophies as we target all the trophies and try to fight for them. Because we are in contention for a lot of trophies so if we set out target well for all we would end up winning. If we target just one and miss out, it means we are going trophiless for the season.
GSN: Are you enjoying your spell in the Belgium Pro League?
BK:Yeah I?m very happy in Genk you know and with what I did last season I believe that wasn?t the full me. I can do better and do something really extraordinary. I?m happy at Genk and I would love to enjoy a better season than last time out.
GSN: Where is the next destination for Kumordzi? Which particular league attracts now? Because the last time I talked to you, you mentioned SA. Are you thinking of German and other places now?
BK: For the next destination I can?t decide yet but you know but I think the German Bundesliga is interesting you know and if I get something from Germany I think I will consider it but for now Genk is fine and I?m very happy.
GSN: What has been the secret for you because you see successful every league you have played? From Greece to Sweden to France. You command starting spots.
BK: I?m always disciplined, I do what the coach tells me to do first before I do anything else. I always try to be a team player and hard work is my weapon. I don?t like to lose even in training.
GSN: You scored four goals last season and all with your head.
BK: It was somehow strange for me because I usually don?t score with my head but all the same it was good because they were crucial moments when I score. But you never know what will happen next season because it might change. I don?t have anything special at training for that.
GSN: Do you have a goal target for the upcoming season?
BK: When the league starts, I would see how things will go. I will set my goal target for the season but for now I don?t know how many goals I will score next season. I want to concentrate and prepare so I would have a better season.
GSN: After your debut season in the Pro League which is the toughest opposition you have faced?
BK: I think is Standard Liege ? Daniel Opare?s team. They are one of the most difficult to play against. They are very organised and there is a little bit of rivalry between Genk and Liege. They have one midfielder in Standard called Vainqueur, from France I think he is one of the toughest opposition I have met in Belgium league.
The Ghana colours in joyous mood
GSN: How do you spend your life outside of the pitch?
BK: Outside of the pitch after training I always go home and eat and then sleep a little bit. The rest is always football.
GSN: Have you ever missed a training session?
BK: NO no never, but in Europe you cannot miss a training session unless a doctor gives you approval. So I think it is not like in Ghana you can decide not to go to training so have not missed a training session before.
GSN: What is the relationship with the Genk fans after such a splendid debut season?
BK:Everywhere I go, people love me because I always try to make peace with the people.
GSN: Ghana are on the verge of qualification to the final stage of the 2014 WC qualifiers but must over Zambia. Have you been following the team?
BK:Yeah, I think we have advantage because you know the last game is against Zambia in Kumasi and Kumasi also has a big support you know. So we have advantage because we are playing home as well and there are young players and quality players in the team you know so I think our chances are BIG.
GSN: You hold WC dreams.
BK: Yes of course it?s every player?s dream to play at the World Cup which is the highest level so for me it?s in my dreams but for that I leave it open.
GSN: You?re still 28 and have about 8 more years to play actively. What is the target?
BK: I think there is still more to achieve and because I think I?m still two steps from my target which is the highest level of the Champions League so am still working and I hope this 7 to 8 years that I have left I can achieve my target.
GSN: We have a new trend where most ex footballers are getting involved in football as either coaches or scouts or agents. How are you planning yours?
BK:Yeah they have started giving us advantage to take courses for coaching but for me am not interested in the coaching.
GSN: Why?
Bk: I think its difficult because playing football with pressure and after continuing with the pressure again so what I think I?ll consider is becoming a scout or being an agent for a club. I think that is cool for me than been a coach but to work with a club not and not an as individual but as agent who work with the club or like a scout for the club.
GSN: Final message.
BK: I want to win more trophies next season and do well in the Europa League so that my fans in Ghana can see me play in the Europa League big stage.
