Launched in 2016 by Edmé Codjo, former Beninese coach during the CAN U17 qualifiers, Charbel Gomez quickly crushed the competition. It only took him one year to discover the Benin senior selection. A fast ascent that is certainly very flattering but which is far from being ridiculous because Gomez is so prodigious. Indecent of technical ease, the one called “the Beninese Neymar” in his country can despite his very young age decide the fate of a meeting. His ability to eliminate, his speed with the ball, his phenomenal vision and his way of moving are reminiscent of the most glorious years of the best imbalance players. Player of the French club Amiens SC since 2019, Charbel Codjo Gomez has agreed to grant us an exclusive interview. The Beninese talks about his club and especially the Benin Squirrels without forgetting his ambitions and ends up revealing his dream team. Read it instead!
Africa Sports: Charbel Gomez, hello and thank you for agreeing to grant us this interview. Tell us, how is it going at Amiens SC?
Charbel Gomez : Good evening Africa Sports, it is with great pleasure for me to do this interview with you. Already, everything is going very well at Amiens SC. I’m very happy here, I have the confidence of the staff and my teammates and for me, that’s the most important. I am no longer with the Amiens reserve team. I joined the pro group recently and I already made my first pro match against Pau on the 24th day of Ligue 2. Now everything will depend on my performance but I still believe in it.
You were launched in Cotonou by Edmé Codjo with the U17s, then everything went very quickly with Oumar Tchomogo. To this day, you are the holder of the precocity record for Senior Squirrels at only 16 years old. It must be a source of pride to enter the history of Beninese football!
Ah yes obviously a source of pride for me. But as I tell you, I don’t take it as a record. The main thing for me is work and progression.
Let’s stay with the Squirrels. In December 2020, you had been called up for the UFOA B U20 tournament in Porto Novo. Unfortunately, Benin was eliminated by Burkina Faso despite your double against Togo. We had felt a sadness in your face that day. What had really not worked in Mathias Deguénon’s group?
We all failed in our mission. Honestly, I don’t have much to say. I was there to help the team qualify for the CAN U20 and it was my last year as a U20 player (Charbel Codjo Gomez celebrated 20 years old on January 27, Ed). But unfortunately I failed in my mission, I could not do anything to prevent elimination in Benin, it was painful.
You were present during the 3rd and 4th day of the CAN 2022 qualifiers. Next March, Benin will host Nigeria in Porto Novo to try to get its qualification. Do you have a chance against the Super Eagles and how are you preparing for this decisive game?
Against Nigeria it’s an important game and we all know that. In addition to being important, we are talking about a difficult match against a formidable opponent on the continent. We can surprise them, we will do our best to qualify for the CAN. If the coach gives me the chance I will come valiantly defend the national colors as usual. Already, I have confidence in our workforce and especially in coach Michel Dussuyer. I think we will do our best to surprise the Beninese people, I am sure.
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What did you miss against Lesotho on the previous day?
Against Lesotho, we won in Porto Novo and then a draw at home. I think we haven’t missed much. It was two different and difficult matches. With captain Sessegnon we could have had more points but I think we have to get used to doing it without him when he’s not there and that’s what we are trying to do. But with him, everything becomes easy. Captain Stéphane Sessegnon is an example for me, a leader that I have been following ever since. We always need him, his experience, his talent and his leadership.
Who are the players with whom you get along best in the senior selection of Benin?
It’s already a privilege for me to share the locker room with them. I cannot mention names. I pretty much get along with everyone. It’s a band already and we’ve known each other for years so I get along with everyone and it’s easier to integrate.
For the first time, coach Michel Dussuyer gave you playing time against Lesotho there and back and you did not disappoint. How do you judge the work of the French technician at the head of the Squirrels?
Coach Michel Dussuyer is doing his job, I want to say he’s doing a very good job. We the youngest of the selection, he makes us feel more concerned and he encourages us to push our limits. Humanly, Dussuyer is a very good person.
What is your ultimate dream as a footballer?
Like any footballer, it is to progress and play at a very high level. I would like to be like my idol Neymar. I like Ney, I really like his style of play. He provokes his opponents, with the ball to the foot, he is often unplayable. He is a player who has a big volume of play, a complete footballer and I like him very much. Then after, it will be an honor to play in the Premier League one day. Who wouldn’t like to play in the English league? What a dream !
All footballers are either Messi or Ronaldo fan. If you are asked to choose one as a workable model, who will you go for?
(Smile) I’ll choose Cristiano Ronaldo. It will be him!
Who do you think is the best African footballer in history?
I haven’t had the chance to follow all the legends of African football. It will be difficult to choose the best one. But with what I could see, I will say that Samuel Eto’o is the best African footballer of his generation.
At Afrique Sports it is a tradition. We love to ask the players we interview their Dream Eleven. So who are the 11 players who make up Charbel Codjo Gomez’s dream team?
My dream team only features stars that I have seen play. I put Manuel Neuer in the goal, he’s the best. In central defense, there is no better than the duo Sergio Ramos and Virgil Van Dijk. Marcelo and Trent Alexander Arnold on the sides. In the middle, Thiago Alcantara, Iniesta and Neymar. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on the wings and Robert Lewandowski in front.
Your final word
It is a great pleasure that Afrique Sports is interested in me for this interview. I thank them and see you very soon.
Director: Carinos CHANHOUN
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