Kryvbas midfielder Jihad Bizimana talks about his team, its tin coach Yuriy Vernydub and the Ukrainian championship.
- Did Kryvbas have a real chance of winning the championship this season?
- One hundred per cent. But, unfortunately, we failed to win gold medals. Well, this is an experience for us. I believe that next season Kryvbas will show even better football and will fight for first place again.
- Yurii Vernydub is a mentor for all Kryvbas legionnaires. What kind of person is he in your eyes?
- Yurii Mykolaiovych is an extremely strong coach and a good person. He is a second father to each of us. Sometimes he can be strict with us, but it's normal. When we are not talking about football, I understand that he gives advice like a father. I fully trust, appreciate and respect him. He is a very cool guy.
- You are the first Rwandan in the Ukrainian championship. Are you proud of this fact?
- Yes, and I am very proud of it. I think I have made history. After all, all the next Rwandans here in Ukraine will never be the first. I am incredibly happy about this fact.
- Who was the strongest opponent you played against in the Ukrainian championship?
- I can't single out any individual player so that I can say, wow... But I can single out a match. It was a home game in the first round against Rukh (1-3 defeat - ed.). A really tough match for me and the team. I liked the opponent.
- Who do you think is the strongest player in Kryvbas?
- Everyone has a high level. The strength of Kryvbas is that we are all different. But we are one team and together we achieve a common goal.
- What surprised you about the Ukrainian championship in general?
- I was surprised by the attitude towards the players. They are highly respected and appreciated here. I would also like to note the excellent training conditions. Kryvbas has great facilities. Honestly, when I was in Belgium, I expected worse conditions here, but now I can say for sure that they are not. Everything is completely different than I expected.
Pavlo Klymenko