Chipolopolo winger Joseph Sabobo Banda has opened up on his frustrating spell at Hapoel Be’er Sheva, revealing how he felt sidelined without explanation by coach Ran Rozhuk.
The youngster has since completed a move to Armenian side Alashkert following a difficult six-month stint in Israel, where he managed just two appearances across all competitions, amounting to only 52 minutes of football. For most fixtures, he was either left on the bench or omitted from matchday squads despite no reported injury.
Speaking to One’s Liat Bitan, Sabobo said, ” I ended up at Hapoel Beer Sheva after a difficult period in Zurich. I was looking for a place where I could turn a new page and enjoy football again.
“My expectation was to receive support, play and enjoy football, something I didn’t experience in Zurich and I thought it would be different in Be’er Sheva. I was very excited to join the team and thought I would get a real chance to play.”
He described how his situation deteriorated as the season progressed: “At first, yes, the treatment was the same as for the other players. But over time, it changed and became less good for me. When I arrived in Be’er Sheva, they showed me a lot of love, and I felt that there was a big difference compared to Zurich, and that I had a real chance to play.
“Over time, that feeling disappeared, and the attitude started to remind me exactly of what I went through in Zurich, a feeling that you weren’t counted, as if you didn’t exist, even in training. I started to feel alone within the system, and the pain was strong, especially when you give of yourself and want to contribute, but don’t really feel part of the team.”
Sabobo: “The Coach Never Explained Why I Was Not Playing”
Sabobo also disclosed that he never received a direct explanation from the coach regarding his lack of game time:
“The coach did not contact me or try to explain to me why I was not playing or what the situation was for me. We did not have a direct conversation. I tried to understand what was happening through my agent, who was the one who contacted the club and asked what they thought of me and what the plans were for me.”
“Through the agent, I was told that only good things were being said about me and that I would get a chance to play, but in practice this did not translate into playing minutes,” revealed Sabobo.
He added: “There were games where I thought I would come in for at least 30 minutes. In those moments I felt great helplessness. I was told to warm up, they made me believe I would come in to play and then they asked me to sit out again. On the one hand, I play well for my [national] team, playing 90 minutes and scoring goals. On the other hand, at the club I don’t play at all, I don’t start or come in as a substitute.”
Sabobo previously endured a difficult spell in Switzerland with FC Zurich, where he failed to break into the first team and mainly featured for the U21s, sometimes in defence.
He is now aiming to revive his career at Alashkert, having already impressed with an assist in his unofficial debut in a 3-0 win over FK Vardar.
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