INTERVIEW: Q&A With Accra Hearts of Oakk midfielder Abdual- Aziz Nurudeen, on his ambition for Hearts and plans for his career

Que: The art of passing is a skill most players fail to master and yet you make it look so easy. Is it an ability you’ve had to develop or one you were born with?

Ans: First of all, I will give Allah all the praises for giving me such a precious tool which is passing, and also I perfected it more when young at the football academy. We use to do just passing for almost an hour every blessed day in the academy.’

Que: Some would say you also need a little bit of luck. What do you consider to have been the biggest break in your career to date?

Ans: ‘Well people who really love you in life always want luck to fall on your side and even surpass wherever you are now so they see you at higher heights. But being a Muslim I believe everything is time and getting called at the National Under-23 team and joining Accra Hearts Of Oak had to be my biggest breakthrough in my career so far. Some might say I need luck but even where I am now am lucky enough. A lot of good footballers we’ve known before didn’t even get the chance to play for these two big clubs in Ghana which I am in one now. So am lucky enough.’

Que: Does the Hearts of Oak pressure get to you?

Ans: Sometimes it’s a bit of pressure because Hearts Of Oak is big and all they need is results regardless of how well you’ve played. So I understand the pressure but I’m soaking it cool and getting to know the environment swiftly. Soon there will be no pressure Insha Allah.

Que: At Hearts of Oak, there are many big-name players. Are any of them envious of the attention you receive?

Ans: ‘No, I don’t think so. None is envious of my attention. They rather a motivation’

Que: What do you spend most of your time doing off the field?

Ans: ‘Off the field, I mostly read the Quran, listen to conscious music such as reggae or play my TV game. In a day at least I will do one of what I mentioned’

Que: Have you ever looked at a game video and were amazed at the things you did on the pitch?

Ans: ‘Yes, a lot of times bro. Especially with my previous team Vision Fc. Anytime we having video analysis with our former coach. I got a lot of praises from him because I do a lot of good things on the field which gets me astonished.’

Que: At what age did you notice your skills were good enough to pursue a football career?

Ans: ‘Right from birth bro. People who knew me since infancy already predicted I did become a great footballer in future.’

Que: What did you learn from watching Charles Taylor and Don Bortey?

Ans: ‘They’re just superb soccer players. Charles has a lot of dribbling ability whiles Don Bortey on the other hand is gifted with technique. His free kicks and corner kicks are one in a million. I still look at their videos each and every day learning a lot from them.’

Que: Which Hearts of Oak teammate are your most trusted friend and confidant?

Ans: I got a lot who are trusted. Should I even say all LOL? But the very friend you always going to see me with every second is Abednego Tetteh.

Que: What other sport(s) do you love to play, and how would you rate your skills?

Ans: ‘Am also good at playing table tennis. I might not be the best but am not that bad at all.’

Que: If you weren’t a football player, what profession would you have gone into?

Ans: ‘I would have loved to be an Architect if I was playing football. But yet still I will go into it even after football.’

Que: What is your favourite music genre and which artists do you enjoy listening to before a match?

Ans: ‘I love reggae music. That’s my genre of music I love the most. I love listening to Bob Nesta Marley before going for every match.’

Que: What’s the most frustrating game you’ve ever been a part of?

Ans: ‘I don’t really have a game I was so frustrated but rather was in pains. It was a very painful game for me when we lost to Kotoko at the just ended league(2019/2020) last season at Accra.’

Que: Do you want to coach/manage one day? If so, which team would you choose if both jobs were available: Black Stars or Hearts of Oak?

Ans: Coaching isn’t part of my plans after football. But who knows I might change my mind after. And if I am in it after football I would love to handle my beloved Hearts Of Oak to make history with them and will later want to handle the Black Stars.’

Que: What was the most devastating loss in your career?

Ans: That was against Kotoko at our very home grounds Accra Sports Stadium last season which we lost by two goals to one.’

Que: What was the greatest victory you’ve been a part of in your career?

Ans: ‘In my career so far was a win against Accra Great Olympics in the division one league when I was with my former club Vision Fc and we beat them 4-0 at their home grounds.’

Que: Which player in the Ghana premier league history would you have loved to play alongside with?

Ans: My colleagues are enough already. No other premier league players have quality that of Accra Hearts Of Oak players. Am content with my colleagues already and I enjoy playing with them.’

Que: Would you consider your career at Hearts a failure if you do not break the 11year drought?

Ans: Honestly, if we aren’t able to break the 11year jinx then we still haven’t done anything here at Hearts. It’s the reason why they brought us and we have to fulfil that mission by breaking that jinx. Yes, I consider my career a failure if myself with my teammates could not break that jinx.’

Que: Who’s the goalkeeper/defender/ midfielder/ striker —currently playing in the GPL—would you love to face off against?

Ans: I have this good friend at Medeama Fc called Rashid Nortey but have never played against him. He’s a midfielder like I am and would love to have a midfield battle with him one day.

Que: Who’s the player in the GPL you watch on TV and say, “He’s something special to watch.”?

Ans: For now, I don’t watch anyone in the GPL and marvel that much saying things in my head. Before it was Winful Cobinnah of Hearts Of Oak. Dude is something else. He’s pure talent.

Que: How do you want the Hearts of Oak fans to remember you?

Ans: I want to make history with Accra Hearts Of Oak. Lift the GPL league with them and go to Africa. That’s how I want to be remembered at Hearts Of Oak.’

Que: Why do think players sometimes misplace a simple pass?

Ans: Each and every player and the quality he has. Some are good in heading, some are strong, some are speedsters, whiles some are good passers of the ball. So I don’t normally blame someone for misplacing a simple pass. Not everyone is made of that.’

Que: What’s your favourite thing about training under Coach Odoom?

Ans: Coach Odoom is kind. And he’s also like a father to us. My favourite style about him is he laughing a lot. He never frowns.’

Que: What’s the biggest impact Odoom has had so far on you as a player?

Ans: Coach Odoom is building me mentally and making me tougher. He’s helping me a lot to become the biggest element of surprise.’

Que: Outside of football what else are you passionate about?

Ans: Am very passionate about TV games. It is what my heart loves.’

Que: Which do you prefer- FIFA or PES?

And: I prefer FIFA’

Que: What were your favourite boots you wore as a kid?

Ans: I wore Adidas boots. I love the brand since infancy.’

Que: Which Primary School, JSS and Secondary school if any did you attend?

Ans: My Primary school was Providence Preparatory School.

JHS was Complex international school.

And Secondary was West African Secondary School (WASS).’

Que: What was your favourite subject at school?

Ans: Literature was my favourite subject.’

Que: Are you married or you are currently dating?

Ans: Not married, I am dating.’

Que: How did you meet your wife/girlfriend?

Ans: I Met my girlfriend through a friend.

Que: Where do they come from?

Ans: My parents are late. They’re no more but they come from Bawku.’

Que: How many languages do you speak?

Ans: I speak five languages. Hausa, Twi, Ga, English and a bit of French.’

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