The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Nanama Keita
3 November 2009
Playing in front of almost 79,000 fans at the San Siro Stadium was a huge moment for English League One club, Hereford United, new midfielder Edrissa Sonko.
The 29-year-old Gambian international was part of Holland's Roda JC side which took Italian giants AC Milan to a shoot-out in a Uefa Cup fourth-round clash. Roda JC lost the first leg 1-0 at home but then beat AC Milan 1-0 in Italy before going down 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out.
That was seven years ago and is the biggest game in the career of Sonko, Hereford United's first Gambian footballer. Sonko, who is called 'Ed' by his team-mates, left Tranmere Rovers in the summer and is with the Bulls until January, at least. "I am working hard and trying to get myself totally fit so I can play a full match," he said. "Since my last full game for Tranmere against Scunthorpe in May, it has been tough to get my fitness back.
"I had a couple of options with clubs but I want to thank the management of Hereford for getting me here and helping to get me back in the game. "I will be here until January and the club will make a decision after that." Sonko speaks English, Dutch, French and three local Gambian languages. His skill with languages has already come in useful.
He has been helping to translate words and phrases for Hereford's new French-speaking striker Mathieu Manset. "I think Mathieu still has a lot to learn because he has to understand the way that the team plays, the language and be able to communicate. "But I don't think it's going to take him long. He has done terrifically well on the pitch. He is big and has got skill."
Sonko, who has also played in the Football League for Walsall, scored twice at Edgar Street for Tranmere last season in a 2-2 draw in League One. He has enjoyed a colourful playing career- spending time in Belgium, Holland and Greece before moving to England. Sonko started his professional career at Anderlecht in Belgium, when he was 17 years old, before moving to Holland.
The attacking midfielder has now lived in Europe for 13 years and holds a Belgian passport. "I have been playing all around Europe now so it has been very exciting," said Sonko, who has captained the Gambian national side. "I try to get on with every challenge and everywhere I go, I try to show what I can do, help the team and my team-mates. "I have been playing international football since I started playing professionally. My last international was last October against Senegal in Dakar. "I hope that when I get a place in the Hereford team and start playing well, I can get a place back in the Gambian team."
Sonko has a strong Islamic faith and has just celebrated the Ramadan festival. "I am a Muslim and I try to perform my duties normally. When the Ramadan comes I try to do Ramadan plus playing football games. You stop eating from sunrise to sunset and, with football, it is very difficult because you need fluid and food to give you the energy to go. "I find it very difficult but I still try to do my best."
He has high hopes for Hereford this season. "I am trying my best to get into the team and I will be trying to help the team get up the table and back to League One. "I think we have been unlucky by not having a good start to the season. But we have a better team compared to all the teams at the top and I think we should be on top. However, I am sure that will come later." Sonko added: "Hopefully, my family will come and watch me when I start playing regularly."
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