A crucial qualifying match live in the European Games.
Then Sichenje Collins, 18, had to play his first match minutes in an AIK shirt.
I have a lot of respect for him, says coach Bartosz Gerzelak.
– I have been waiting for this challenge, says the center back himself.
A tough injury situation with both Aleksandar Milosevic and Mikael Lustig (perhaps the last in the match line-up) unavailable means AIK needs to work on defense ahead of the Conference League qualifying return against Vorskla Poltava.
Straight into the Hot Air – Seishinji Collins, 18.
A player who has yet to score a minute with the first team since joining the club last spring after being signed from Kenya’s AFC Leopards before the transfer deadline.
“It’s not exactly cat piss…”
It can be said that he seized the opportunity when AIK kept a clean sheet, won and qualified for the next preliminary round.
When Sportbladet highlighted Sichenje Collins’ participation during the press conference, the coach appeared Bartosz Gerzelak above like the sun.
Damn, it was fun to see. Such a humble and hard working guy. I didn’t even jump in now. I think he makes his debut that bodes well for the future, says the AIK coach and continues:
– He’s young and he still has a lot to learn. But getting into a Conference League game and taking on a team of Vorskla caliber… it’s not exactly Cat Paul. You have to say that’s impressive.
“She took hold of him with strength and power.”
Collins himself appeared in the mixed zone straight back and proud of his AIK debut.
– We fought as a team. We’ve got the win. Good challenge for me. I was waiting for this challenge and took it hard and strong, says the center back as he clenched his fist.
– It was my first match, my first competitive match. I look forward to more and will work hard for it.
How did you feel when you found out you were going to start?
– The coach said I would be ready even in the last game (against Varnamo). Then I did not enter. But I was already ready. When I first saw my name, I was of course nervous. But I was preparing for this every day. I was ready for this moment.
Praised by his colleague
It was a moment even his family back home in Kenya had been waiting for.
– My mom called after the game and she was proud. It was amazing. My parents are happy, my brother, they are happy with my development. I want to make them proud every day.
Coach Bartosz gave a lot of praise at the press conference just now…
– It’s heartening to hear that. We hope to do great things here at AIK.
Sichenje Collins describes himself as a hard-working player who wins a lot of ball, fights and gives his all.
An image that he also managed to transmit to 15,759 spectators in the stands.
Just like his teammates.
– I thought he played a very good game. Show hunger and win a lot of ball. Very strong, aggressive and fast. It’s hard to get past it. Defender Joe Mendes says he has long legs.