From The Press
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/10681158/Skills-brought-all-the-way-from-Burundi
Skills brought all the way from Burundi
Last updated 05:00 31/10/2014
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STACY SQUIRES/FAIRFAX NZ
DRAGONDS DEN. New Canterbury United recruit Rossi Nkoy at training at English Park.
Canterbury United coach Sean Devine realised there was something special about Rossi Nkoy when he impressed against wily veterans as a 16-year-old schoolboy.
Devine has sound knowledge of Nkoy's football acumen, having formerly coached him at Northern Premier League club Manurewa in Auckland.
Most teenagers would be intimidated playing against national league regulars and former All Whites, but Devine said the lightning-quick striker never got rattled.
''His pace got him out of trouble a lot of the time. All these big bruisers couldn't catch him.
''He's definitely got plenty of ability, Rossi. He's got plenty of pace and an eye for the goal.''
Devine and Nkoy will be reunited this season at the Dragons, who begin their ASB Premiership campaign against WaiBop United at English Park tomorrow.
It will be the first time Nkoy, now 20, has played in the competition and he was relishing the chance to push for first-team football at Canterbury United.
''I'm trying to get on to the field and play as much as I can. I want to get some good experiences,'' he said.
Nkoy was born in the east African nation of Burundi, but moved to Auckland with his family for a better life, aged three.
This winter, he played for Western Springs in division one of the Northern League.
Western Springs, coached by former All Whites assistant Neil Emblen, won the title, earning promotion to the Northern Premier League for next year.
Devine sounded out close mate Emblen about whether Nkoy was ready for the ASB Premiership and they both agreed he would thrive on the challenge.
Like Canterbury United, Western Springs also play on an artificial turf, which suited Nkoy's blistering pace and sharp reflexes.
Devine said Nkoy was easily was one of the quickest players in the Dragons squad.
''He's a good asset whether he starts or comes off the bench. He's got that impact factor about him, which I like,'' Devine said.
''He's the sort of person, if he doesn't start, he can change a game for you.''
Nkoy fits perfectly with the style of football Devine wants the Dragons to play this summer.
The new coach has gone out of his way to inject greater pace and youthful flair into the squad.
Canterbury United scored just 22 goals in 14 games last season, the third fewest in the league. Devine knows the Dragons must find the back of the net more often if they are serious about cracking the top four.
He is keen to play two strikers up front, which could mean increased opportunities for Nkoy.
Nkoy faced a baptism of fire in his first pre-season appearance for the Dragons last month against a near full-strength Wellington Phoenix side at Westpac Stadium.
Experienced A-League campaigner and All White defender Andrew Durante marked Nkoy for much of the clash.
''It was good to see what sort of level you need to be at to be playing at the top level,'' he said.
His confident performance drew praise from Phoenix gaffer Ernie Merrick.
Nkoy has packed a lot into his young career.
In 2012, he spent a year studying and playing division two college football at the University of Montevallo in Alabama.
''You got to see where you're really at. Physically, it's a different sort of game there. It was more fast paced. I really enjoyed it - the whole culture.''
- The Press
STACY SQUIRES/FAIRFAX NZ