Assinor arrived as an unknown player, but burst into the Nike League like a whirlwind. The Ghanaian striker is the competition’s third-highest scorer with six goals, in addition to having three assists. On average, he contributes to an accurate hit every 52 minutes.
The talented attacker has been speaking extensively in a Q&A interview with zpfutbal.sk.
Mark, you have been in Podbrezová for several months. How do you feel here?
“So far, it’s really good. It’s been a great journey since the start of the season. I’m still trying to adapt to the new environment because I came at a difficult time when the team was finishing summer training, so I didn’t have the opportunity to get to know the team before the start of the season, but I was ready for it in my head. That’s why I didn’t have the best start, but now it’s much better, which I’m happy for.”
What was your trip to Podbrezová like?
“Last season I played in the third Polish league where I played for Hutnik and in the middle of the season I moved to Garabania. I wanted to show up and have good stats, which I did. Now I would like to build on this here in Podbrezová.”
Six goals and three assists are great numbers at the start of the season. Can you say that you feel the way you want on the pitch?
“Yes, I feel very good. I am full of energy and motivated for my work. I think I can still be better, but I’m taking things gradually. I no longer look at the games we have played, but at the games that await us. Now Žilina awaits us. I want to do everything I can to be ready for this meeting and help the team with goals and assists. I’m always thinking about how I can perform at my best in the next game.”
What are your greatest football qualities?
“I think I have some quality sites. Definitely speed and even though I’m smaller, I’m strong. I have a good mentality, I try to fight under any circumstances to the very end. Football is played for 90 minutes, you have to be focused on every single moment. I have a positive and winning mindset.”
What do you think about the system that Podbrezová plays under coach Skuhravý?
“I’ve played under a lot of good coaches throughout my career. Roman Skuhravý is a very good coach. He can be strict, but that’s only to push us. Most often I talk to my assistant Štefan Markulík, we discuss all possible situations. They know about my qualities. I’m grateful to them for every minute I get on the pitch. They are extremely nice to me. I really like the game we are showing. I like quick transitions to
Offensively, Podbrezová has several quality players. Feel the competition between you?
Offensively, Podbrezová has several quality players. Feel the competition between you?
“Absolutely. Getting to the top is relatively easy, but staying there is already very difficult. We have great players in the team such as Kabongo, Kuzma, Okunola, Galčík or Sanusi. We fight each other for a place in the lineup, I can never be complacent. Every time I have to show that I deserve a place on the pitch. Competition forces you to constantly work on yourself and improve, which is good both for the players themselves and ultimately p
You’re still young and you have a lot of room to improve. In what aspects?
“Since I’m a striker, it’s important that I score goals and add assists. My main focus is to be good for the team with goals. There are a lot of great strikers in the world like Lewandowski, Benzema, Haaland and every one of them is so good because they score goals. The striker is a very difficult position. Sometimes you only have eight or nine touches of the ball and everybody expects you to score.”
You are currently the third top scorer in the Niké league. Is your goal to finish at your best at the end of the season?
“Yes. I pray to God that this will happen, but even the Bible says that everything needs its time. I believe that success takes hard work and time. Maybe I’m the team’s top scorer now, but for three weeks I don’t have to score a single goal or vice versa, I’ll keep doing well. Therefore, I have to work hard, and with God’s help, I believe that success will come. Since childhood it has been my dream to play in German.
Ghana has produced a number of quality players for world football. Who do you admire?
“That’s right, a lot of quality footballers come from Ghana. When I was little, my role model was Asamoah Gyan, who scored six goals at the World Cup. He may have finished his career, but he’s a legend. Of the current ones, I really like Mohamed Kudus from West Ham. When I saw him play, I was really impressed. We played a few games against each other in Ghana.”
Can you say your goal is to get into the Ghana national team?
“Yes, I would like to achieve that. I think it is possible for me to succeed. But you don’t just get an opportunity, you have to earn it. I’m working really hard and if I finish the season with good stats, like I said, it’s possible.”
When you mentioned Gyan, I have to ask. How much did it hurt when he threw away a penalty in the quarter-final against Uruguay at the 2010 World Cup?
“It was really challenging. I was little at the time, but I remember the match. I really wanted him to score. In the end, that moment broke the heart of the whole country. Ghana could rewrite history and become the first team from Africa to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. But that’s football. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.”
Who is Mark Assinor off the field?
“I don’t know how other people perceive me (laughs). I would describe myself as someone who is very closely connected to God. I pray to him very often. It’s my inspiration. That I’m into
