`I can handle Chima … like a snowball’

Hussein’s fire flickered for a moment. He did not get a piece of the action in the match against JCT yesterday — due to a second yellow card picked up while playing Bagan. It brings on a mixture of anger and sadness.

“I was very annoyed with the referee. On both occasions I had not touched the player,” the former junior international laments. His disappointment seems uncontrollable as he says, “These things do not happen in Ghana. The referees attend acourse in England before officiating matches in the league. Also, every premier league match is seen on video by a committee which monitors the performance of the referee,” Hussein explains.

His strong and forthright views expressed, Hussein is back to his easy going and friendly self, so different from the fearsome figure on a soccer pitch. He flashes back boyishly to his best goal — the spectacular late equaliser against Salgaocar in the Super Six series that brought Churchill a draw when all seemed lost.

“I have scored many goals through headers but this one was my best especially because we looked like losing until then,” he said.Hussein’s goalkeeper took a free-kick in his own half and the stopper, with three defenders hounding him, jumped to nod in past Salgaocar’s ‘keeper Jude Siddi.

“When I saw their goalkeeper make an error and advance, I was confident that I would beat the defenders and score,” Hussein explained.The defender’s confidence originates from a prodigious start to hisprofessional career with Dawu FC at only 14 years of age. Hussein became a regular in the side after bagging the man of the match award on debut.But he owes his progress to his stint with Marhir Club in Egypt. “I matured a lot as a player there,” he informs. “Egypt is a footballing nation. I used my eye and my mind to learn from so many professional players there.”Why did he come to India ? Hussein admits: “At first, I did not like the prospect of coming to a country that did not have the image of a footballing nation, but in the end, it has been a good move, says Hussein. “Besides liking Goa as a place, I was happy to see a foreign coach train my team Churchill Brothers. Danny (McLennan) is a good coach. If I stay here it’s because of Danny. Without him, the team will collapse,” Hussein says.

The Ghanaian, however, adds an extra punch to his weaponry with his penchant to move ahead in attack. As his career grew, Hussein found himself in the role of a sweeper and a striker as well. But he now admitson being committed to being a stopper for the rest of his career. “I don’t think any team will allow me to leave that position,” he says.

Hussein wants to emulate the tough and powerful Dutchman Ronald Koeman as he nurtures an ambition to play for Ghana’s senior team someday.

For all the nuances garnered from professional players abroad, Hussein believes humility to be the key to his success. A stance picked up at Dawu Club where he rubbed shoulders with national idols — strikers Felix Abougeh (now in Portugal) and Alex Yanko (in France).

“I may have played with top professionals but I still learn something everyday. I learn every time Bhaichung Bhutia, IM Vijayan or Bruno Coutinho snatch the ball from me. I cannot say that because I am professional, I cannot learn,” Hussein, a devout Muslim, confesses.