Pape Sane: Rangers will win trophies
Pape Ousmane Sane - In Rangers for glory
Ahmed Musa targets league
Rangers new Senegalese signing Pape Ousmane Sane has said ‘The
Flying Antelopes’ will soon end three decades without a major trophy.
The interview:
MTNFootball.com: Could you please introduce yourself.
Pape Sane: I am Pape Ousmane Sane. I am Senegalese central defender. I started my career back home with Police F.C from where I joined Casa Sport F.C, the club who won the Senegalese league last season. It was from that club I found my way to feature for Sharks. For now, I am very contented playing in the Nigerian league and I hope to give it everything so as to attract a European club soon.
How much do you miss your family and friends back in Senegal?
I miss my people a lot but I try to see them as often as possible. I miss my parents the most as I am the only son.
Could you describe what it was like for you when Sharks won the WAFU Cup two seasons go?
I felt very great when we were crowned WAFU champions and naturally, I wanted to do more for the club last season, but injuries did not allow me to be at my best.
Rangers wanted you last season, but you turned them down. Why then did you agree to join them now?
I decided to team up with Rangers now because they have shown enough ambitions that they want to win a trophy especially the CAF Champions League. I am here to contribute in my own little way towards the actualisation of that ambition.
What should the fans expect from you when the new season kicks off?
They should always expect the best from me and hopefully the fans of Rangers will see us winning trophies.
You have played in the Nigeria Premier League for the past four seasons. What are your impressions about the league?
Nigerian league should rank as one of the best on the continent especially going by the quality of the football, but there is still a lot more to do for the league to be taken more seriously.
For instance, clubs should build on their fan base to raise funds so that they could do better both locally and internationally.
The clubs also still have a long way to go because most of them don’t care about players’ welfare or incentives.
Who has been the most difficult player who you have played against and which team has been the most difficult for your team?
In my four years with Sharks, I can’t remember any particular player giving me so much trouble, but the most difficult team for me would be Kano Pillars because they play a compact football and have a very big fans base at home. You have to be strong to beat them whether at home or away.
What is it that you must do before every match?
I don’t do anything special as I believe in hard work as the only key to success in this profession. What I must do always whether in training or in a match is to ensure that I’m always very fit.
Last season, Sharks came very close to picking a continental ticket but lost a home game to Wikki to miss out. What really happened?
I did not play that match because I was injured, but I watched from the stands and Sharks lost the match because they did not play well on that day. We just failed to click. There was nothing like a sell out as was reported. It was just not our day.
Who would you miss the most at your last club Sharks?
I will miss my closest friend Kola Anubi, who has also moved to Warri Wolves.
With what you have seen in Rangers since coming to Enugu do you see the club challenging for any major trophy this coming season?
With the calibre of players that I have seen in training and the coaches on ground, I don’t see any reason that will make us not to be major contenders for the league and cup trophies. The CAF Champions League will be tough, but we will give it our very best shot.
Rangers have not won any major trophy for nearly three decades and so would that not put you under a lot more pressure to perform?
I will just play my normal game which got Rangers to sign me from Sharks. I only just have to be very fit to ensure I help Rangers win trophies next season.
Thank you for your time Pape.
It is my pleasure.
The interview:
MTNFootball.com: Could you please introduce yourself.
Pape Sane: I am Pape Ousmane Sane. I am Senegalese central defender. I started my career back home with Police F.C from where I joined Casa Sport F.C, the club who won the Senegalese league last season. It was from that club I found my way to feature for Sharks. For now, I am very contented playing in the Nigerian league and I hope to give it everything so as to attract a European club soon.
How much do you miss your family and friends back in Senegal?
I miss my people a lot but I try to see them as often as possible. I miss my parents the most as I am the only son.
Could you describe what it was like for you when Sharks won the WAFU Cup two seasons go?
I felt very great when we were crowned WAFU champions and naturally, I wanted to do more for the club last season, but injuries did not allow me to be at my best.
Rangers wanted you last season, but you turned them down. Why then did you agree to join them now?
I decided to team up with Rangers now because they have shown enough ambitions that they want to win a trophy especially the CAF Champions League. I am here to contribute in my own little way towards the actualisation of that ambition.
What should the fans expect from you when the new season kicks off?
They should always expect the best from me and hopefully the fans of Rangers will see us winning trophies.
You have played in the Nigeria Premier League for the past four seasons. What are your impressions about the league?
Nigerian league should rank as one of the best on the continent especially going by the quality of the football, but there is still a lot more to do for the league to be taken more seriously.
For instance, clubs should build on their fan base to raise funds so that they could do better both locally and internationally.
The clubs also still have a long way to go because most of them don’t care about players’ welfare or incentives.
Who has been the most difficult player who you have played against and which team has been the most difficult for your team?
In my four years with Sharks, I can’t remember any particular player giving me so much trouble, but the most difficult team for me would be Kano Pillars because they play a compact football and have a very big fans base at home. You have to be strong to beat them whether at home or away.
What is it that you must do before every match?
I don’t do anything special as I believe in hard work as the only key to success in this profession. What I must do always whether in training or in a match is to ensure that I’m always very fit.
Last season, Sharks came very close to picking a continental ticket but lost a home game to Wikki to miss out. What really happened?
I did not play that match because I was injured, but I watched from the stands and Sharks lost the match because they did not play well on that day. We just failed to click. There was nothing like a sell out as was reported. It was just not our day.
Who would you miss the most at your last club Sharks?
I will miss my closest friend Kola Anubi, who has also moved to Warri Wolves.
With what you have seen in Rangers since coming to Enugu do you see the club challenging for any major trophy this coming season?
With the calibre of players that I have seen in training and the coaches on ground, I don’t see any reason that will make us not to be major contenders for the league and cup trophies. The CAF Champions League will be tough, but we will give it our very best shot.
Rangers have not won any major trophy for nearly three decades and so would that not put you under a lot more pressure to perform?
I will just play my normal game which got Rangers to sign me from Sharks. I only just have to be very fit to ensure I help Rangers win trophies next season.
Thank you for your time Pape.
It is my pleasure.
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