By: Sheikh Tophic Sienu @desheikh1 on twitter
Ghanaian defender Nuru Sulley gained promotion with Alanyaspor into the Turkish Super Lig after strenuously playing three play-off matches.
He is one the best defenders in the team and played 34 matches this season.
Last season they lost the play-off and could not qualify but managed the qualification this season.
Nuru Sulley, 22, will be joining a pool of Ghanaian players in the Turkish Super Lig including John Boye and Joseph Atamah Larweh.
GHANAsoccernet.com caught up with the industrious defender exclusively from his base in Ghana following the season break.
GSN: As Salaamu Alaikum Nuru and congratulations.
NS: Wa Alaikum Salam and thank you.
GSN: How has life been in Turkey?
NS: The season has been a very difficult and a long one. Before we started the season, we were not expecting the play-off. We played 36 matches in the regular season and three more matches in the play-off. So we had a long season.
GSN: We will come into the season itself but tell me, how is social life in Turkey?
NS: Social life in Turkey is great for some people and boring for others. For me, it is boring because I am always inside. But those who go out claim it is fantastic.
GSN: How has your season been for you?
NS: It has been a tremendous season. I played only 34 matches out of 39 in the league. I missed five matches because on a slight injury but gaining promotion with the club has made the season a marvelous one for me.
GS: What does the promotion mean to you as a young player?
NS: It means a lot to me as a player. Every player's dream is to go higher. So gaining promotion means a lot to me. It has added a lot to my career honours and encouraged me to fight for more.
GSN: How difficult was it for you and your team-mates when you were paired Adana Demirspor for the finals of the play off?
NS: As I said earlier, it was a difficult season. Before we started, our target was to win the league. We played five matches and were at the bottom of the table so our directors told us to just fight and stay in the season. We then started winning and won seven matches consistently so we then realized we could fight for promotion.
GSN: So what happened next?
NS: So after the regular season, we failed to make it straight into the Super Lig. We were third on the table and had to play three more matches to determine our qualification. And Alhamdulillah we qualified in the finals against Adana.
GSN: You won the game on penalties. Was Adana Demirspor that strong for you to beat?
NS: Honestly, the entire team was not comfortable when we had to play Adana in the final play-off. They were a strong side and it is a rich team too. During the regular season, we met Adana twice and both games ended in a draw. So we were not comfortable. But that really challenged us to fight harder.
GSN: Now that you have qualified for the Super Lig, what is your personal target?
NS: My target is to help the team to maintain our Super Lig position for the first season before we think of something else.
GSN: With your performance for Alanyaspor, it is obvious that offers will come from other clubs. Will you leave for a different team?
NS: That will depend on the club that approaches me. My agent is in charge of that. But if a big club like Basiktas or Fenerbeche or Galatasaray approaches me, we will look at it. Apart from that, I will still stick to Alanyaspor because they are also a strong side.
GSN: Now tell me. What is your greatest target in your career as a player?
NS: My greatest target is to play for the senior national team the Black Stars. It is a dream for every player to play for his national team. I keep fighting harder to keep my form keep improving to impress the handlers of the team so that I can also play my part. It is my greatest dream.
NS: Football today is no respecter of any nation. All the teams in our group are capable of qualifying so we must not underrate any team. All we need to do is to prepare well for any team and play each team with the same level of determination and seriousness and In Sha Allah we shall qualify.
GSN: You have been monitoring the Ghana Premier League even whiles playing in Turkey. What do you say about the league this season?
NS: The GPL this season has been marvelous and I always praise the media on that. You people have done a marvelous job with the way you hype the matches now. Now everyone wants to go to the stadium to watch matches and that is good. But we still need to improve.
GSN: Talking about improvement, which aspect do you think we should improve?
NS: The major area we need to improve is our pitches. We need to get better pitches for the game and that will improve the quality of play. Most of our pitches locally are very poor and we must work seriously to improve them.
GSN: A couple of players have complained about the Mitre Balls used for our league. Do you think the quality of football can also affect the game?
NS: Very well. It can change the quality of play tremendously. Some of the balls make ball control very difficult and it affects the quality of play. However, if our pitches are improved, the quality of play will improve regardless of the quality of the balls.
GSN: Hearts of Oak were the last club you played before travelling to Turkey. How do you see their performance this season?
NS: Hearts are having a very great season and I have enjoyed their matches since coming home for holidays. They have a very young team and a great future.
NS: I was sad when I heard that news. I think he has done a great job by giving the fans hope to believe in the team again. So parting ways with him was not the best. At least he has increased the fan base and the supporters are now watching Hearts matches. So letting him go will not help the club. But the supporters must forget about him now and support anyone who takes over. Phobia shall always be Phobia while coaches will come and go.
GSN: Finally, do you think Hearts can win the league?
NS: Yes they can. Why not? But it will be difficult.
GSN: Nuru, we are very grateful for your time and may Allah bless you.
NS: Amen. Thank you and may Allah bless you too.