INTERVIEW: Ghanaian teen prodigy Eric Ocansey aspiring to become best of three football brothers

Published on: 13 July 2016
INTERVIEW: Ghanaian teen prodigy Eric Ocansey aspiring to become best of three football brothers
Eric Ocansey

The Ocanseys remain one of the recognised football names in Ghana with Michael Ocansey and Mandela Ocansey making their names in Ghana and the Ivory Coast respectively.

Eric Ocansey is the third of three football brothers.

Michael Ocansey captained Great Olympics in the Ghana Premier League ten years ago and tormented giants Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak with his extraordinary talent..

But Mandela, 26, is still scoring goals for in the Ivory Coast. His proven track record with Sewe Sports and Horoya has earned him raving reviews.

The pair have set a high standards for their younger brother - Eric Ocansey, 18, who is preparing for his maiden top-flight experience in Belgium.

Ocansey was handed first team opportunity at Belgian side AS Eupen last season and seized the opportunity to justify his readiness for regular first team action, contributing three (3) goals in 23 appearances in the promotion campaign.

With the season set to kick start later this month the former Aspire Academy graduate is fully optimistic and has his ambitions clearly ahead of him: " I want to be recommended as one of the best in the team and that's exactly what I have been working towards in the pre-season. I want to score more goals and provide more assists for my team-mates."

Eric Ocansey in action for Eupen
Eric Ocansey in action for Eupen
The feeling of grim registered on his face gives away to a grin when he casts his mind back, remembering how the season began and the proud feeling after securing promotion: " It was hard from the beginning but I thank God we were moving forward. I was encourage my the staff here and my team-mates and I am happy with my performance at the end of the season."

"This [promotion] is something we've been working hard to achieve for years and we were able to finally achieve that dream."

I've always wanted to play in the top-flight even though I know it is not going to be easy and this has made me strong and I am confident this challenge will be nothing bigger than me."

Despite getting for top-flight football for the first time, the Tema-born insists the club can be the Leicester City of Belgium: "First our ambition is to stay in the Pro League and qualify for the Uefa Champions League next season."

Ocansey
Ocansey
Eupen have been boosted by the arrival of attacking midfielder Samuel Asamoah who has top-flight football under his belt. Asamoah spent last season with OH Leuven and celebrated one goal from his boot in 17 appearances. Ocansey believes his return from loan will bolster the ranks of the Pandas: " He's a good player and every player would aspire to have a player like him. With him we will be able to fight and achieve better things in the season."

Ocansey shed light on how he standard playing football: "Well football has been a gift from God to our family. My dad was also a footballer and my two brothers - Michael and Mandela Ocansey have made names playing football. I was playing in a team in Tema called H. B. N.A.T in Tema and I got invited to play in a trial game for Aspire Academy. I was selected and became part of Aspire Academy to pursue my career."

He states his main career challenges includes adapting to new environment: " The only challenge I had was playing with experienced players from the beginning of the season."

He steps away in delight to join the rest of his team-mates for the pre-season.

By El Akyereko 

Follow the writer on Twitter: @AkyerekOfficial

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