Azizz Corr Legend Or... What?


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The Independent (Banjul)
January 4, 2002  
Posted to the web January 4, 2002  
Olufemi Jr
Banjul, the Gambia  
Fancy being a prolific striker, a good soccer export but then shunned at the stage where you want to shine most. Well, that was what befell former Scorpions striker Aziz Corr. As he unravels here, his absence from the '92 Zone 2 spurred him to cut short his cap collecting routine with the squad.
Probably the most club trotter Gambia has ever had, (he played for nine clubs in Europe) Corr was born in the 60's in remote Basse. However, he gained formal education at Albion and Wesley Primary Schools before landing at Crab Island and Saint Augustine Secondary Schools and crowning it all up at Saint Augustine's high. He fronted for Blue Diamonds, Roots and Young Africans, and in the process, earning both junior and senior caps before he left for a somewhat stillborn trials with English side, Aston Villa. He ended up in far Denmark, where he found the net for B1901, Harfolge, Oksen Park, Berkerod, Framadmager, Evildoer and AB70.
A taste of Belgian and Cypriot soccer was also obtained with Blankerberg and Parliament respectively. A real de Banjul fan and once a household name in The Gambia (and probably abroad), Corr here talks on his career, the highs and lows and a certain Azizz Corr.
Q: What lured you into football?
A: Ah it all kicked off during my childhood days. I played for all the school teams in my schools. I remember father Gonjh took me from Saint Augustine's (Pa Joof) to Saint Augustine High School on a scholarship.
He encouraged me a lot and urged me to become a professional footballer.
Q: Your league career kicked off at Blue Diamonds. How did you land there?
A: Actually, a friend of mine called Ebou Ndure took me there. However I only starred for them once because I fell out with the coach. Father Gonjh then asked me to go to Roots FC
Q: Was it at Roots you earned your first cap with the junior squad?
A: Yes, along with Peter Prom, Ebou Deboah, Kemo Fatajo, etc
Q: How many seasons did you see off in Young Africans?
A: I spent two seasons with them before going to Europe.
Q: Thing were not pie-easy then. How did you set to Europe, as a footballer?
A: Young Africans were up against Ports in a cup final at the Independence Stadium. Some scouts were here and they were impressed with me. It all started there.
Q: Can you recall how many caps and goals you earned for both junior and senior squads?
A: (laughs) Ooh, I just can't remember. But I've scored a lot of goals.
Q: You've played for six clubs in Denmark, within which did you carve a niche for yourself?
A: It was in Framadmager that I made myself felt. When I played for them, any black person the fans see they would reckon he is a Gambian and would want to know whether he knows me! They would also have a quiz competition centered on me. I spent three seasons with them but I took them from third division to the Supa Liga (first division)
Q: You also had a taste of Belgian football?
A: Yes. There was a coach called Hans a Swiss, once coach of the Scorpions. He called me and said he has shown a club my high lights and would love me to go on trials. The club was Blankenberg and they were impressed with me. I signed a contract with them. Ebou Sillah, Sheriff Ceesay and I were the only Gambians with the club.
Q: You are the only Gambian so far to play in Cyprus. How did all come about?.
A: Actually, I went there on holidays to visit a brother of mine. He had earlier told a team called Paralime that he has a brother playing in Denmark. Thus, when I came, they said I should sign for them - even for half a season! However, I could not sign as I was already playing in Denmark. Still, when my contract ran out, I did play half a season for them.
Q: What is the football scene in Cyprus, like?
A: Wow! They are football fanatics almost like the English! It is not easy to play there as attention is focused on the players, even in the streets.
Q: Was half a season enough for you to stamp your mark?
A: Well, I did score goals for them and they liked me.
Q: which coach molded you into a better player?
A: Well, I had learned a lot from all the coaches I earlier had. Father Gonjh was not a coach but he gave me good advises. Also, Saihou Sarr and Kabba Jallow were good coaches. I reckon Sang Ndong was spurred to be a coach because of his relationship with Saihou Sarr.
Q: Who had been the player(s) you craved for?
A: Biri was my star but Real de Banjul was the club of my heart.
Q: Did you copy anything from him?
A: Yes. To volley in the box was something I had learnt from him. With other skills and techniques, I learned them myself.
Q: What was your strength as a striker?
A: My advantage was that I was good with the ball. I could confuse defenders by swinging the ball behind me, collect it, and dribble pass them.
Q: The Scorpions once played a World Cup qualifier against Liberia, winning 2-1 but losing 4-0 away. What loosened the screw?
A: (hesitates) well we have players who are not used to huge crowds, when we played them in Ghana, the whole stadium was behind Liberia and we only had our bench as supporters! Besides, we were nervous!
Q: What were your post match reactions?
A: We were devastated, as we had though we would have gotten a draw.
Really it was not easy.
Q: Was that you last Cup?
A: yes it was.
Q: Had you wanted it that way?
A: No, I did not actually, I had wanted to collect my last Cups at the Zone II in 1997, then I was fit and ready for that tournament. Pap Saine even met me in Denmark and saw how geared up I was for the tournament.
However, I came only to learn I was not selected. I then decided I would never play for The Gambia again.
Q: were you incensed?
A: I was disappointed because I had done a lot for football in The Gambia. If I had been part of the squad, we would have advanced further in the tournament.
Q: Are you back home finally?
A: (laughs) I'm afraid not, I will be leaving in a fortnight.
Q: Most Gambian clubs are cash strapped. Do you plan to back ride any?
A: I would say so. I'm currently training with Real where the coach wants me to play for them. I could do it but it is not in my plans, rather, I would strive to see more players go abroad.
Q: What were the glitter and flicker of you career?
A: Well, it is win and lose! I remember when we won Liberia, the whole nation was in a frenzy.
Q: Are you related to Aziz Corr in the U17 squad?
A: (laughs) No he is a fan of mine. His name is Sheik Omar Njie but he liked my style so much he adopted my name! He was at a tender age when I was playing for Roots and the junior squad.
I remember once his father asked me to visit him, telling me that his son has forfeited his birth name for mine. I went there. He was crying when I came but stopped when he saw me.
We conversed and I gave him a jersey. Even now when I go to Sweden where he is currently playing, he would call almost everyday and visit me. He is a real fan.
Q: You've still got football left in you why did you hang up your boots so early in the day?
A: I was crestfallen, to be honest however it does not mean I will not play again. I believe I will do so, soon.




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