Angel Stéphanie Djakpa: "Xavi Hernandez is my model"

Ange Stéphanie Djakpa is highly rated at Athletico Abidjan. With less than few hours before the CAF Women's Champions League, the midfielder shares some interesting information about herself with CAFOnline.

What was the first football shirt you were offered?

It was that of Real Madrid. My mother had bought it by chance.

Did you have a younger idol?

Xavi Hernandez! This may seem paradoxical to you because I support Real Madrid. I liked his game intelligence and his way of playing.

Who is the opponent who has caused you the most problems?

In our championship, our meetings with Juventus de Yopougon and Inter d'Abidjan always offer tough duels. The toughest opponent I've had to face is Aby Ba of Inter of Abidjan. She is physically impressive and since I am not very tall (laughs), which makes marking her difficult. I have to be more aggressive whenever facing her.

What is your style of play on the field?

I like deep passes and focussed controls.

When you turn on the TV to watch a game, what do you pay the most attention to?

I focus more on the delivery of those who play in my position, the midfielders. I analyse everything: their movement, their passes, how they bring out the ball, how they propose solutions when the game becomes complicated and how they overcome situations.

I look at all this because a midfielder is the one who brings breath to the game. She sees what others don't see. When it's difficult, we rely on the midfielder.

Do you have a role model in football?

I've already told you about Xavi. For me, the supreme player is a mix of Modric, Iniesta and Xavi. These reference me. Humbly, I try to get closer to their game by reproducing their game but with my style of play.

If on November 19 at Korhogo Stadium, you win the CAF Women's Champions League. Who are you going to call first?

I will share my joy with my family, especially my father. It's not that he was sceptical at the beginning of my career but he had expressed some reservations. I had to have good grades to be able to play football and for me to show him that I managed to win the most prestigious interclub competition, will be the greatest victory for me.