Eyeing top half of table: Koffi
After a poor start to the ILeague season, Churchill Brothers FC Goa have turned things around in an impressive manner. A prime reason for this recent form has been forward Mechac Koffi of Ivory Coast, and his sights are now set on “the top half of the table”.
“Our aim now is to be in the top half of the table. And the way we are performing, it is highly achievable,” Koffi says.
Arriving mid- season, Koffi has been instrumental in the Goan outfit’s turnaround.
“I wouldn’t say it’s because of me. Yes, we had a bad start to the season but we bounced back.
“I can say for sure that if we had collected five or six points earlier we would have been in the running for the I- League,” he said.
Arriving mid- season in any league is difficult for a player with the change in strategies and playing styles and Koffi admits the hurdles, “Yes it is difficult to for any player to come in mid- season. But I was prepared to play.
“Pre- season training and keeping yourself match fit is a very important aspect of the game. If you do it properly, it won’t be difficult to adapt to a new league or team,” Koffi said.
With no previous experience of playing in India, it was a leap of faith for the Ivory Coast striker. “It has been a good stay for me here in India so far. I honestly didn’t know much about the league in India. But after coming here, I can say it is a very good and competitive league.”
Speaking of the quality of football, he said, “I used to play in other leagues and I’m very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the league here.
“It’s a very good atmosphere inside the dressing room. Here everyone is equal no matter who you are. Everyone respects each other and stands up for one another. So it brings you closer and helps you understand each other.” With four goals to his name so far, Koffi says he is far from pleased with his performance. “I am not exactly happy. I know the level that I can perform at and I can be much better than what I have shown so far. So, I have much more to give.”