Essa Pius picks forgotten talent as best player he played with

Managing to breakthrough a wealth of talents spoiled with quality between the early and mid 90s, Essa Pius Tabi was one delightful player and proved so at his echelon with the senior men’s national team.

In an exclusive interview with Egypt’s On Time Sports, the former Indomitable Lions defender stated that the best player he played with is, Ashu Nchong.

Essa Pius’ choice will be gobsmacking at first instance, epecially for someone who played alongside Roger Milla, Alioum Boukar, Stephen Tataw amongst others.

Quizzed on his choice, Essa Pius admitted that it wasn’t easy for him to pick a player amongst the quality that surrounded him in his playing days.

“It is difficult for me to pick the best player I played with at the national team, because we had some top talents.

“I really do not consider Ambassador Roger Milla as a player of my generation, because he only came in to prepare for the world cup, though I played against him when he was at TKC and i, with Prevoyance.

“I’ll have to give it up for Milla at the level of the attack, Tataw was awesome at the defense as well.

“However, that one player I’ll always mention is Ashu Nchong Philip from kumba. He played the 1988 Udiac tournament. He is a born footballer.”

Unfortunately for youngsters, Ashu Nchong played at a time when recording was just getting polished, but for those who witnessed his talent first hand, it will simply be with a nod of approval that Essa Pius’ pick will be greeted.

Essa Pius hails from Manyu, a community credited for natural talents.

“Kids from Manyu are gifted with good footballers. There’s a picture I have, and we’re four players from Manyu lined up; Ndip Akem, Stephen Tataw, myself and Agbor Hans,” Essa Pius opined while showing a picture of footballers from the Manyu community, lined up for the national anthem with the Indomitable Lions before a friendly in Saudi Arabia.