2026-04-16, 02:45 AM - Word count:
The interview: Blaise N'Kufo
ACCRA - People thought the book was closed. A statue at the Grolsch Veste, impressive career in the MLS, and then retirement. But anyone watching the Adowa Accra FC training pitch might see a familiar face walking around. Or maybe the face might not match the body on first glance. We spoke with Blaise N'Kufo about his "second youth" in the Simulation Soccer League.
Blaise, you're back. How is this even possible physically?
"Look, I am not so sure myself. Could it be my diet? Yoga? I will be honest. I dont know. I woke up one morning and my stamina was suddenly peak again, like I was 20 again. I felt like I had drunk a liter of espresso one night and then it never stopped. Back at Twente, I was not really slow but now? With 20 pace and 18 acceleration, I feel 18 again doing crack cocaine with Ronnie Stam and Quincy Promes. I am outrunning defenders who were not even born when I celebrated my first championship. It's a prank by nature, I think, but I'm the one laughing.
You're playing for the Netherlands now, what changed?
"You might have expected an answer about tactics from me but that's not it for me. Football has never been only about tactics for me. It is a feeling. It is a circle trying to be round. I have had some of my most memorable years on the dutch fields. There, in Enschede, I learned what loyalty meant for me. I am a man that likes to think long term. Chasing fleeting success has never been my thing. That's why I chose the Netherlands. A tribute to the place that made me the footballer and man that I am today.
The first two matches are in the books. Adowa Accra is in second place, but you haven't scored yet. Does that bother you?
"Listen, we are in second place. That is the most important thing. The first match was a bit of a warm up, but we won the second 2-0. I felt like I left a lot of chances on the table the first game and I was hungry chasing for a goal in the second game. However, my team has stepped up so well when I couldn't find the net again. They keep setting me up in good spots and these old legs seem to have new juice in them. It is only a matter of time before we are all firing on all cylinders."
You look like a man possessed on the pitch, constantly trying to beat the offside trap...
"That's the funny part. My body keeps pushing me into those gaps but it feels like I'm possessed almost. It's a feeling stronger than me. If I see a gap, I go. Defenders seem to be going crazy because of me. They probably think, 'oh it's that old guy again', and then I'm already 2 meters behind them. I might not have scored yet this season, but I can keep giving these guys headaches for the full 90 minutes. I guess that is the benefit of having the natural fitness of a 20 year old again."
What can we expect in the coming weeks?
"More sprints and more pressure for sure. Hopefully that first goal too. I'm not here to be like my statue in Enschede, only observing. I'm here to play. The coach believes in this project, my teammates are full of passion and energy, and the fans in Accra have been fantastic. That first goal is coming, and believe me, I have the lungs to do a full victory dance afterwards"
ACCRA - People thought the book was closed. A statue at the Grolsch Veste, impressive career in the MLS, and then retirement. But anyone watching the Adowa Accra FC training pitch might see a familiar face walking around. Or maybe the face might not match the body on first glance. We spoke with Blaise N'Kufo about his "second youth" in the Simulation Soccer League.
Blaise, you're back. How is this even possible physically?
"Look, I am not so sure myself. Could it be my diet? Yoga? I will be honest. I dont know. I woke up one morning and my stamina was suddenly peak again, like I was 20 again. I felt like I had drunk a liter of espresso one night and then it never stopped. Back at Twente, I was not really slow but now? With 20 pace and 18 acceleration, I feel 18 again doing crack cocaine with Ronnie Stam and Quincy Promes. I am outrunning defenders who were not even born when I celebrated my first championship. It's a prank by nature, I think, but I'm the one laughing.
You're playing for the Netherlands now, what changed?
"You might have expected an answer about tactics from me but that's not it for me. Football has never been only about tactics for me. It is a feeling. It is a circle trying to be round. I have had some of my most memorable years on the dutch fields. There, in Enschede, I learned what loyalty meant for me. I am a man that likes to think long term. Chasing fleeting success has never been my thing. That's why I chose the Netherlands. A tribute to the place that made me the footballer and man that I am today.
The first two matches are in the books. Adowa Accra is in second place, but you haven't scored yet. Does that bother you?
"Listen, we are in second place. That is the most important thing. The first match was a bit of a warm up, but we won the second 2-0. I felt like I left a lot of chances on the table the first game and I was hungry chasing for a goal in the second game. However, my team has stepped up so well when I couldn't find the net again. They keep setting me up in good spots and these old legs seem to have new juice in them. It is only a matter of time before we are all firing on all cylinders."
You look like a man possessed on the pitch, constantly trying to beat the offside trap...
"That's the funny part. My body keeps pushing me into those gaps but it feels like I'm possessed almost. It's a feeling stronger than me. If I see a gap, I go. Defenders seem to be going crazy because of me. They probably think, 'oh it's that old guy again', and then I'm already 2 meters behind them. I might not have scored yet this season, but I can keep giving these guys headaches for the full 90 minutes. I guess that is the benefit of having the natural fitness of a 20 year old again."
What can we expect in the coming weeks?
"More sprints and more pressure for sure. Hopefully that first goal too. I'm not here to be like my statue in Enschede, only observing. I'm here to play. The coach believes in this project, my teammates are full of passion and energy, and the fans in Accra have been fantastic. That first goal is coming, and believe me, I have the lungs to do a full victory dance afterwards"
![[Image: ySrStzC.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/ySrStzC.jpeg)
