Alfred Osei Shines after Offseason of Uncertainty

It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Alfred Osei in the last few months. A prominent figure in Kaya FC since he joined in 2014, the 29-year-old Ghanaian seemed on his way out when he was dropped from the lineup in the offseason. The development came as quite a shock to the club’s supporters. But just as they were coming to terms with his absence, right before the transfer window slammed shut, he was back on the roster to bolster the team for another season. True to his reputation, throughout all the uncertainty, Osei remained unshakeable. And when he turned out in his preferred midfield role in the opening game of the 2018 season, he made sure to let everybody know, with a goal and a Man of the Match performance, that he’s exactly where he belongs.

“There were mixed emotions, but that’s our job. You need to be professional, stay fit, and anytime you’re called upon, you need to do your job,” he said of the ordeal he endured in the offseason. “Although I wasn’t [officially] with the team, I didn’t feel like I was gone. It wasn’t no difference coming back – same old training.”

One thing that has changed, however, is where Alfred is being utilized on the field.

“If you ask my colleagues, the coaching staff, even the management, [they know] I love to play in that midfield. I love it, every single time. Back in the AFC [Cup] days, that’s where I played, and I enjoyed. But as I said, you have to be professional. When you’re called upon, any position, any time, you need to be ready and do your job.”

For the better part of two years, Alfred was Masanari Omura’s partner in the center of defense. While his physicality and ability to read the game made him an asset in that position, he had to drastically curb his desire to take on defenders, and get involved in attack. There was less restraint in that department in the season opener against the Davao Aguilas. He admits, however, that he’s still readjusting to life as a midfielder.

“It’s not easy to adjust to a position you haven’t played in a long time. For the last two seasons I played at center back,” he explained. “There’s a lot of things to work on, but lots of things to build upon in terms of positives from the game.”

With a full 90 minutes, a goal, and an all-around commanding display in midfield under his belt, it would seem Osei would be over the moon with his return to action for Kaya. But even in his moment of glory (and in some ways redemption), his priorities were elsewhere.

“If we win, the Man of the Match means something to me. But we got a draw, so it means nothing to me. If we had won, I’d be very happy. We’re still going to work hard and make sure that the next time we come here, we capitalize on our advantage. It’s not a bad start, but I’m looking forward to bigger things in the future,” he said.