Red looks good on him. And that glaring smile on his face as he approaches us tells us he is in a good place. Despite just a handful of games with Serbian top-division side Vojvodina, Collins Sichenje has already made a statement in Europe, let alone in Serbia.Two fantastic performances against Ajax Amsterdam in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, only a few days after his arrival, boosted the defender’s confidence and earned him deserved plaudits from both the press and coaches.The former AFC Leopards centre-back is on loan at Vojvodina from the Swedish outfit AIK, but as things stand, the Serbian club will opt for a buyout clause of 400,000 euros in the next few days.As we sit with Sichenje in Vojvodina’s colourful training centre on the outskirts of Novi Sad – Serbia’s second-largest city with a population of around half a million – those Ajax’s ties are still in our minds.UEL: Sichenje makes dream debut as brave Vojvodina succumb to late loss against AjaxHe went from a relatively unknown youngster to a prominent football name in Europe in just 180 minutes, with a dream debut at the mythical Johan Cruyff Arena.Despite facing a two-time European champion, packed stands and an electric, hostile atmosphere, Sichenje seemed unimpressed. On the contrary…”It wasn’t something new for me because when I came to the team, I was welcomed well. The coach believed in me, and my teammates also. I worked hard. To me, it wasn’t a surprise to be in the starting XI because the most important thing is to give 100% to the team regardless of how many minutes I play, even ten minutes or less, it’s still the same.”It’s every child’s dream to play in such an atmosphere and, of course, at first I felt proud of myself. In my mind, I was like, ‘This is why I play football, for this moment’. I was not afraid. That’s something that has always been in me. I believe in myself and my qualities. I’m brave no matter who the opponents are, and more importantly, we have a fantastic team.”UEL: Sichenje’s heroics did not save his Serbian side from big bad AjaxWas the possibility of playing against Ajax on such a big stage one of the key reasons you decided to join Vojvodina in the first place?”To be honest, the most important thing that affected my decision was the way football is played in Serbia. In the team I was playing for before, I had one friend who knew many teams here in Serbia and told me that the level of football was good. Vojvodina finished inside the top four last season, so that was the main factor to come here. I knew this was a great opportunity for me. I chose Vojvodina because I needed a new challenge. The quality of the squad is good, just like the coach and the facilities, and I’m going to develop here and achieve my goals while helping the team to do its best.”Our credible sources tell us that Ajax’s boss, Francesco Farioli, was impressed with your performances against them. How much it means to you?”Of course, it’s heartwarming to hear something like that. It made my heart beat much faster. It makes you want to give more and work extra hard because those words come from a top club coach, and you don’t want to take that for granted. And our goalkeeper promised me his gloves because I had like two or three goal-line clearances [laughs]… I’ll always do whatever it takes for the team, and if it means throwing my head to the goal line, I’ll do so.”##NAJAVA_MECA_8269362##Tonight, you’re facing Maribor in the Europa Conference League after a 2-1 away loss to them in the first leg. Will you progress to the group stage?”I think we have a higher chance of qualifying because, honestly, we are better than Maribor. We were just a bit unlucky to concede in the last seconds of the first leg. If we play the way we played against Ajax, the way we fought, we’re going to win this tie because we have all the qualities to beat Maribor. I’m 400% sure of that. And the luck always follows those who work hard, so, hopefully, we’re going to win.”Before Vojvodina, you played in Sweden at AIK, together with Henry Meja and Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma. How did such a young man adapt to a new country, culture and language so far away from home and your family?”I think this is something that has been normal for me because even when I was very young, between 7 and 12, I was far away from my parents. At school, we played football, studied…”Green Commandos, right?”Yeah, exactly. So when the school was closed, I didn’t go home. We stayed there for training. We had maybe only one week off. So, I think my parents have been used to it because it has been happening for years. I was always ready for that because in order to achieve your dreams, you have to sacrifice. That has motivated me to keep pushing because I know I can go to a higher level and keep working.”Of course, it was much easier for me to adapt to life in Sweden with Meja and Ouma there because we were also friends at school. When I joined the school, they were just finishing. We spent one year together there, but we also knew each other from the streets. So, with them at AIK, I really felt at home.”##EDITORS_CHOICE##The loan to the Finish side KuPS that followed was very successful for you. You were rewarded as the best defender of the league…”Yes, in Finland I played for a big club. It was a good level, we played in the Conference League and almost won the domestic title. It was a significant episode in my development. I always want to go forward step by step…”Alas, in Greece with PAOK, it was a whole different story. A 17-year-old, all alone, without a chance to make a single first-team appearance. What was going through your mind then? How did you manage to stay strong despite going backwards?”It was anything but easy. I was 17, like you said. But that was my path, even if it took so many years, because I believed in my qualities and I knew that my moment would come. I’m going to get my chance to give 100% and show what I can do. It was sometimes frustrating, yes. You think a lot then, but luckily, my friends and family talked to me daily. Moreover, I always worked hard. After training with the team, I would do my thing alone, too. All I needed was patience. I knew my time was going to come no matter what. So, despite everything, it’s something that actually helped me to become what I am today.”Do you expect a call-up for the Harambee Stars for the upcoming Afcon qualifying games in October? Has Firat maybe contacted you?”Yeah, I’ve already been called, so… [smiles then laughs] no problem! Hopefully, I’ll be in the starting XI. And I believe we can qualify for the Afcon, we have a good team now.”By: BOJAN BABIC
