“In me, the fans will see a player that gives confidence to the team” – Enes Sipović’s First CFC Interview

Chennai, September 21, 2020: Chennaiyin FC on Monday announced the signing of 30-year-old Bosnia-Herzegovina central defender Enes Sipović on a free transfer, for the 2020-21 season. A tall and agile presence with experience of playing in Asia, the 6’6” center-back becomes new Head Coach Csaba László’s first foreign recruit and third overall, following the arrival of Indian full-backs Reagan Singh and Chhuantea Fanai.

Excited about joining Chennaiyin and looking forward to a first Indian experience, Sipović got on the phone with the CFC media team from his hometown of Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital. Excerpts below:

1. What are your first thoughts on joining Chennaiyin FC? How much of Chennaiyin and Indian Super League have you been following?

I am really very excited to join my new club Chennaiyin FC. I had heard about Chennaiyin for the first time in 2014 when Marco Materazzi was part of this beautiful club. Some big names have graced the stage in this team, and I am delighted to follow in their footsteps. And over the last few years, I have crossed paths with quite a few players and coaches who have experience in the ISL. So I can say I am familiar with the league, and I am looking forward to competing in it with my new team.

2. A first experience of playing in India awaits. How excited are you?

Believe me when I say this, but after I finished my stint in Qatar, I was talking to my wife and I instinctively said that our next destination will be India. It was just a gut feeling. I have to say my wife also has a huge role in me deciding India, and Chennaiyin as our new home. We are so happy that we will have an opportunity to be in India, and hopefully in Chennai sometime soon too. Most importantly in terms of the football, I am itching to get on the pitch and gel with my teammates. I simply cannot wait!

3. What is your message to the Chennaiyin FC fans?

I hope that our club’s fans and supporters will come back to the stadiums as soon as possible. I know that the situation with COVID has changed everything. Seeing stadiums without fans makes me really sad. To all the Chennaiyin fans, I promise them that I will give my best and we are going to celebrate together after this season. Simply put, I am not coming to India as a tourist. I along with our entire team, mean business.

4. You are a tall and towering defender. How would you describe your own style of play? What can the fans expect from you?

I am a team player. And I am not someone who focuses on individual performances. I am sure when the fans see me play, they will see a fighter and a very responsible player. Someone who gives confidence to the team and wants to win at all times.

5. You have experienced playing behind closed doors in Qatar recently. How different and challenging is it? Because ISL will also be played without fans entirely.

Like I said, stadiums without fans makes me really sad. And it was no different when I recently played in Qatar behind closed doors, in an empty stadium. To be honest, it is really weird, the lack of atmosphere. I am used to playing in front of 50,000-60,000 in Morocco. I hope this difficult period passes soon. We can’t look away obviously, it is important to ensure social distancing because of the virus. I only pray and hope that our fans can come back to the place where they belong, which is in the stadium.

6. What are your ambitions with Chennaiyin FC? Have you spoken to the Head Coach Csaba László? What can you share with us from your conversation with him?

My ambitions are always high. Chennaiyin FC is a club that has won titles and achieved success in a very short period. It is a club that fosters a winning mentality and knows how to bounce back from setbacks. Chennaiyin already has a big reputation, so we will give our best to be in pole position again.

And yes, I have spoken to the Coach (Csaba László) a few times. He has told me what he expects from me. We have discussed about trainings and tactics, so I am excited to begin pre-season as soon as possible.