African Cup of Nations Dream ends for Nakoulma

Prejuce Nakoulma’s Burkina Faso, in a word, shocked the football world over the past month with their spectacular run in the African Cup of Nations. A run that just ended today, in a 0-1 defeat in the hands of Nigeria.

Burkina Faso is a nation, that has rarely ever had any kinds of success. The country has never played in any tournament semi-final, of any age group, until this past year. A squad, with no stars, took on Africa like they were meant to be there. Playing with speed, passion, desire and a great sense of defense. And Gornik’s Nakoulma played a big role in the team success, as he was one of the teams better attacking options.

In the teams history at the African Cup of Nations, the team, when qualified, and that was rare, 7 times, they lost in group stages. Sometimes, they didn’t even enter to qualify. And at times, due to civil war, or politics or simply because the nation couldn’t afford to keep playing, the team withdrew mid-qualifying. So, the teams run, of winning their group, which included drawing Nigeria 1-1, and then beating Togo and Ghana (in penalty shootout) to advance to the final, is even more remarkable.

Krol and Kopacz make squad!

Krol (left) with Milik

Two highly rated prospects of Polish football, Wojciech Krol and Bartosz Kopacz have been told they will make the team following a successful training camp.

Krol, 18 years old, a attacking midfielder, who was signed from Rozwoj Katowice, as a packaged deal, along with his best friend Arkadiusz Milik, spend last season back with Katowice on loan. Krol, unlike Milik, has not made the transition to top flight football as easy, and has spend the last two seasons playing for Gornik’s “Young Ekstraklasa” squad and Katowice. As a 16 year old, both Milik and Krol had trials with English Premiership teams Reading FC and Tottenham Hotspur. The 18 year old last season appeared for Katowice, in the Polish third division 17 times, and scored four goals.

Meanwhile, Kopacz, a 20 year old central defender. He was signed in 2010, but has played the last two season away on loan. Most recently, he’s played for first division team Zawisza Bydgoszcz, where he will be surly missed. Kopacz played over 1070 minutes for Zawisza, while starting 12 games. He scored two goals there this past fall. He is known for his physical play and is well air game.

Gornik putting finishing touches on pre-season

The winter recess break is finally nearing an end. Something that can’t come fast enough for Gornik Zabrze. The club is playing at their best in over a decade at the half-way point, has become a legit contender for the Polish league title for the first time since the early 1990′s. Gornik, is build based off their system. A defense first style, and play it safe, no risk, all while wearing the opponent down and then attacking with a loaded arsenal of young players.

Manager Adam Nawalka has always stressed to his team that this club will never be about any one player but a group of eleven. Coming out of the winter break, that message will never be louder, as Gornik has lost it’s biggest star, striker Arkadiusz Milik. The best player to have played in Zabrze since Tomasz Hajto or Tomasz Waldoch, but, some argue he’s the best since Wlodzimierz Lubanski. And that’s why it’s so important for Nawalka to get his squad back to playing. The sooner they play, and re-focus on that message, the sooner this team can move on and once again compete against Legia Warsaw for the league title.

Milik debuts

And it finally came, it took a few matches, but it finally came. In the 86th minute of Sundays match, wearing number-16, Arkadiusz Milik came on as a sub for Stefan Reinartz for Bayer Leverkusen, but it wasn’t enough as his club lost 3-2 to Borussia Dortmund. A game in which his Polish teammates Kuba and Robert Lewandowski both scored.

Leverkusen are in a tight battle with Dortmund for second place, and now Milik’s side is trailing the Bundesliga champions by 2 points.

It’s obviously good that the club has enough trust in the 18 year old forward to put him on in the dying minutes in hopes he could come away with a miracle equalizer for his team. This time Milik could not, but him getting any playing time, especially in such an important game for Leverkusen, it shows he has been doing well in training.

 

Warzycha in Zabrze? Could happen…

Not Robert Warzycha, the former star of the club, but his son Konrad.

Konrad was born in Zabrze during the days when his father was starring for Gornik Zabrze. They, however moved all over the world as Robert continued his football career internationally, until finally arriving the United States where Robert not only played for MLS club Columbus Crew, but now is the clubs manager. Konrad, now 23, played college soccer in the United States, in fact was a star on the Ohio State team, and then later went on to play for MLS side Kansas City. He only played one match for Kansas City, and the midfielder was released last November.

Most recently, he had a trial with Polish side Lechia Gdansk, which didn’t result in a contract for the player. Not sure what Konrad will do for the spring, but the player has an eye to play for Gornik Zabrze, and apparently there is some interest on the other end as well. Gornik couldn’t give him a look now though, but said they will keep in touch in the summer time.

Official: Milik Joins Bayer Leverkusen

It’s official. The Arkadiusz Milik saga comes to a end, with the player signing a 5 year deal with German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. Gornik Zabrze will receive around 3 million Euros. Besides the money, Gornik have an agreement from the German club to come and play the first match at the new Gornik stadium once it’s completed. Hopefully by then, Milik will have established himself at club.

Is this a good move for Gornik? As tough as it is to swallow and admit it, but it is a good move. Gornik is not done with selling players, and rightfully so. The club’s priority is to get out of debt as soon as possible, so when they open up their stadium, they can have money coming in and build onto the success to become a power in the Polish league again. A club in debt has problems ever being good. That’s when teams are desperate for extra cash and sell on the cheap, and not at a high value. Also, signing players to long term deals is tougher, and it really becomes tough to buy any elite players.

If Gornik did make it to Europe next season, they would most likely have had to rent out Piast Gliwice stadium, and thus, not only remain in debt, but also make very little money on their European experience.

Happy Birthday Adam Danch!!

Happy 25th Birthday to Gornik Zabrze defender and captain, Adam Danch. Danch celebrated a day early, by getting playing in the final 6 minutes of Poland’s 4-1 victory over Macedonia, when he came in for Artur Jedrzejcyk.

Wishing him the very best on his day, from Planet Gornik! Sto Lat!

Milik to Leverkusen nearing completion

Fresh off scoring his first national team goal, Arkadiusz Milik left the Polish national team in Turkey, after Poland beat Macedonia 4-1, and flew directly to Leverkusen on Friday night, according to Gornik Zabrze official web site. Milik will take a medical examination on Saturday with Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen Saturday morning, and then watch Leverkusen take on Hamburg from the stands.

Earlier in the week, it was reported that Milik would be sold, along with Konrad Nowak, for 3 million Euros to Leverkusen. Leverkusen are currently in second place in Germany, with 30 points.

Nakoulma named to Burkina Faso squad

Star midfielder Prejuce Nakoulma has been named today to the 23-men squad that will represent Burkina Faso at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by South Africa.

The 16-team tournament begins January 16th and runs until February 10th. Nakoulma is set to join his national team on January 3rd however, for a pre-tournament training camp. Of course, Nakoulma may be transferred away by the time this tournament kicks off.

Gornik Zabrze’s first game of the spring season is February 25th, so, even if Nakoulma doesn’t get transferred away, this tournament will not interfere with his club duty.

Preview: Winter Transfer window 2012/13

There are several players on the squad that there will be daily discussions about if they are staying, or going. Most notable, striker Arkadiusz Milik, who is strongly rumored to be pursued by Borussia Dortmund (and eventually replace Robert Lewandowski) or VfL Stuttgart. Milik is seen as the next Polish star, the “next Lubanski” or “next Lewandowski” as the media and fans proclaim him already. And could bring tons of financial relief to the club if sold. I personally believe, Milik will remain with Gornik through spring, and will be sold in the summer time.

The other hot topic surrounding the club, is midfielder Prejuce Nakoulma. Who almost left last summer. And has had a fantastic winter season for Gornik. Nakoulma has 4 goals and 3 assists. But his biggest strength as a player is his one-on-one skills and how he pressures defenses, and opens up space for others. He came very close to joining Russian Premier League Terek last summer, but chose to remain in Zabrze. Would be shocking to see him remain on the team, as he’s not getting any younger.