PODBREZOVA. In Slovan, twenty-three-year-old Kelvin Ofori did not start his engagement well, he was criticized for his approach. It seemed that he didn’t get along with coach Vladimír Weiss at all.
On Saturday, however, he fully showed his strengths. “Today he was at practically everything,” said Slovan’s coach Vladimír Weiss.
It was the first time he had publicly praised Ofori in this way. In the 13th round of the Nike League, Slovan won 3:1 at Podbrezova.
“This week was really good for me, and especially for the team. It will definitely increase my self-confidence, I believe that I will use it for other good things for the team,” Ofori claimed for the Slovan club website.
Ofori did not play a single minute in the European Cups. He has not even been included on the roster in the Conference League so far. The coaches were not satisfied with his training process, he felt guilty and was offended that he was not included in important matches.
He faced great criticism mainly for his attitude in the Slovak Cup match against Trsticia, where he was taken off the field in the 39th minute. The reason? He left the match. In the next league match, he did not even make the roster.
Very good performance
Before the season, he came from Spartak Trnava as a free agent. No severance pay. Although Trnava did not get anything, Slovan had to financially reward the new reinforcement.
It can be assumed that the player himself and his agent collected a generous bonus for signing the contract. According to estimates, it can be hundreds of thousands of euros. Ofori spent three seasons in Trnava and refused to sign a new contract.
The management of Spartak allegedly offered me the highest salary in the history of the club, but even that was not enough. Slovan overpaid them and promised more. While he was a star in Trnava, he has to fight for his place in Slovan.
“Ofori gave a very good performance, through which we got into dangerous situations,” Weiss praised him after the match in Podbrezova.
Slovan was already losing in the fifth minute, but turned the game around before halftime. All three attackers prevailed. Róbert Mak and twenty-year-old Nino Marcelli both scored a goal and an assist.
“We communicated very well offensively. We knew what the other wanted to do. We played really well and with ease,” described Ofori.
The power of the attack was revealed
At the beginning of the season, this trio was not selected. At the front, another trio was given priority: Vladimír Weiss, Tigran Barseghyan and Dávid Strelec, who, however, had already dropped Slovan.
“Next, the power of our forwards showed. Robo Mak confirmed the high quality and Nino Marcelli also shone,” continued Weiss.
Marcelli has also faced criticism that he is not progressing as expected. However, his record in the last five league games suggests progress. He scored four goals and had an assist.
Ofori has scored in both of his last matches.
“Quality players from Slovan like Ofori speeded things up interestingly under the defensive line. They were able to get behind our backs,” described Podbrezova’s coach Štefan Markulík.
Weiss doesn’t like criticism
On Thursday, Slovan is waiting for a Conference League match at the Finnish Kups Kuopio.
Weiss often points to a demanding program, which is why he missed two attacking aces against Podbrezova – Barseghyan and Andraž Šporar.
Weiss junior only entered the game as a substitute in the second half.
“A tough match for us because sometimes we get criticized more than we deserve,” Weiss lamented. He felt guilty.
“In four months, we lost three games 1-0 and slowly it was such a criticism as if we were dropping out of the league. But that’s life – Slovan’s coach has to be ready for that,” Weiss added.
Nike league table
Name of the teamTeam
Z
V
R
P
The score
B
Shape
13
8
4
1
33:17
28
12
8
3
1
27:16
27
13
7
4
2
26:12
25
11
6
2
3
19:11
20
12
5
3
4
20:18
18
12
4
3
5
19:23
15
12
4
2
6
14:20
14
12
4
1
7
11:20
13
13
2
6
5
12:18
12
12
3
3
6
13:18
12
13
2
6
5
14:21
12
13
2
1
10
18:32
7
Z = Matches, V = Wins, R = Draws, P = Losses, B = Points
