Coach of Elmina Sharks FC Kobena Amissah has heaped special praises on midfield “gem” Abdul Aziz Nurudeen following the Bandaogo man’s spectacular performance in Hearts of Oak’s week 7 league game against Asante Kotoko on Sunday.
The Phobians were held to a pulsating 0-0 drawn game at the Accra Sports Stadium, with left back Dennis Korsah being adjudged the Man of the Match.
But it was Bandaogo, who scored higher marks in Coach Amissah’s books after his workaholic display in the super clash.
After watching the game with his “small eyes” the experience coach said he enjoyed watching Nurudeen Bandaogo, who played in the holding midfield role in the Phobian set up.
“I watched the game with my small eyes, Korsah played well but I enjoyed the midfielder in front of Hearts defense (Abdul Aziz Nurudeen),” Coach Amissah said.
“He is a gem I tell you, and he deserved the man of the much. That is what I saw with my small eyes.
Nurudeen was just making his third appearance for the defending Champions after ten months injury layoff.
Playing alongside veteran Sule Muntari and Gladson Awako, there was a huge responsibility on the Bissa man to neutralize the Kotoko midfield.
And according to the coach of the Elmina-based side, Nurudeen did that to his surprise.
“Let me share with you what I observed about the player in question,” he said.
“He was able to check the super midfielders of Kotoko because we all agree that Sulley is not all that fit and Awako is now picking up his form so the duty of the day depends on the that midfielder because he needs to stop all the penetration passes from Kotoko midfielders to the strikers and he did that to my surprise.
“Apart from that, he is also a good passer of the ball.
“Korsah was fantastic on the day because first time in hearts Jersey and playing against his former boss you can imagine what was going through his mind,well done to both teams, I really enjoyed the game.”
Nurudeen Bandaogo to who joined the rainbows three seasons ago, played a huge role in the triumphant Phobian squad that won treble last season.
His services to the Phobian course was cut shot by a nagging injury in the first round of last season.
He missed the major part of the campaign at the beginning of the season, but came in as a substitute to mark his 2021/22 seasonal debut against city rivals Accra Great Olympics.
He has since won the confidence of Hearts Coach Samuel Boadu, who has given him a starting role in the team’s last two outings.
Boadu has been inconsistent in fixing his holding midfield problems following the exit of Benjamin Afutu and Emmanuel Nettey.
He has largely relied on youngsters Ushau Abu and Salim Adam in a struggle.
However the return to action of Bandaogo, backed by what he exhibited on Sunday, seems to give the technical handlers a better shoulder to rely on.
Failure to win against Kotoko leaves the Phobians 12 points behind their perennial rivals, who lead the league table with 37 points after the first round.
But Boadu believes the league is far from over as there are 17 matches left to play.