Belgium-born Ghanaian sensation Jérémy Doku says it feels good to play for a for a ‘great’ football country like Belgium after putting whipping Hungary in the 2019 Euro U-17 qualifiers.
The 16-year-old Anderlecht wing magician hasn’t completely forgotten his root and says he spends the night with Sarkodie’s Adonai track on replay.
It had been one of the memorable days for the prodigious baller as he inspired his moment with a brace for the young Red Devils as they battered the central European opponents 4-2.
Doku is blessed with a cultured left foot and commands the flanks with the speed of G6 and finishes with some sadistic aura of a sort. But, he says he feels satisfied when he puts his opposition to the blade.
“It always feels good to score as a left winger and to help the team get a win.” Doku told GhanasportsOnline.com in an interview.
The youngster with the heart of a lion, was born in the small town of Borgerhout, a suburb of Antwerp to Ghanaian parents and holds Belgian passport. Talent hunters within the ranks of the European powerhouse spotted his qualities early and drafted him to the Belgian youth ranks. And, he says he feels happy representing Belgium and doesn’t know yet whether he would ever feature for the West African country where his parents come from.
“It really feels good to represent such a great country. But, for Ghana, I don’t know yet whether I would play for them one day or not.”
In the midfield mechanising affairs and gagging spaces and strangling opposition as a tiger seizes the windpipe of his prey is a visionary 16-year-old with the qualities Claude Makelele, potentials of Michael Essien and the poise of French World Cup winner N’golo Kante – Samuel Asoma. The lad, rolling things up with heavyweight vigor, is a Ghanaian compatriot who links up with Doku quite nicely. And, he explains their bond.
“We are good friends he plays in Brugge and I play in Anderlecht but still we are good friends.”
Asoma signed a professional contract at Club Brugge last summer since then he has not looked back. And, as in the dreams of a youngster everywhere, Doku is not ready to relent on his effort. He has bagged 5 goals for Belgium in the qualifiers but is eager to score more.
“I want to score a lot of goals because its important for my position and for my development. It is a great experience. I thank all the coaches who helped me and also my family because they’ve been very supportive.”
Lot of wingers have earned their names with trademark and patent displays on the flanks. Doku is not interested in naming names but seeing the endless sensations at that office just inspire him to work even hard.
“There are a lot of great players so I just have to work hard and we will see next.”
Three seasons ago, Liverpool came calling. The Anfield giants scouted the wunderkind and even went to the negotiation tables with the Belgian coequals but they failed to strike a deal to transfer the winger to start a future in the globe’s most popular league. Those that opportunity to make a switch to England has evaporated but the youngster is working hard condensing and distiling it back to reality.
“I like the Premier League and I look a lot at the match of the day. I will see where the future brings me to.”
He has his choice on the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate.
“I pick Messi because of the way he dribbles and he also scores a lot of goals.”
Despite having limited connections with Ghana Doku is trying to keep with the cultural evolution of the West African country and he says he listens to BET Award winning rapper Sarkodie and eats popular Ghanaian foods.
“Yes my favourite music is Adonai from Sarkodie and favourite food is Coco and beens.”
Despite his tender age Jeremy Doku has featured 5 times for Anderlecht in this season’s Belgian Jupiler League.
