I was better than Shamo Quaye – Kotoko legend Joe Debrah

PHOTO credit:Footballmadeinghan

Asante Kotoko legend Joe ‘Afriki’ Debrah has said that he was a complete player than HeartsOf Oak playmaker Shamo Quaye while shedding more light on their rivalry.

There has been arguments among football fans since the 90s as to who was the best during their time.

Joe Debrah was undoubtedly one of the best performers of the local game in the early and mid-parts of the 1990’s, due to his brilliant ball control skills and amazing goal scoring instincts.

But a knee injury in the late 90’s hindered his progress and subsequently moved to Goldfields.

Shamo Quaye on the other hand, was an incredible talent for Hearts of Oak, who despite emerging at a very young age carried an experienced football head.

Sadly, he died mysteriously in 1997.
Shamo Quaye’s death killed the intensity of the rivalry between himself and Joe Debrah.

However avid local football followers have from time to time reignited such discussions about who bettered the other on the pitch.

Speaking about this on Kessben FM, Afriki Joe revealed that in as much as Shamo Quaye was an excellent player, he believes he had more to his game than the Hearts playmaker.

“We were close, but not as close as I was with Joe Addo,” Debrah said.

“He (Shamo Quaye) had his qualities and I also had my qualities. His qualities were, he could score unexpected goals, I also had mine but I knew I was better than him he stated.

“But in football, if debates don’t emerge the game doesn’t become exciting…I knew I was better and Shamo himself was aware but he just couldn’t say it.

“I possessed all the qualities in the game, strength, and striking abilities. Shamo was a goal scorer, but I was that and more. I was more involved in the game than Shamo. He always used to lurk around the goal area. Everyone has his skillset and strength so that’s it,” he concluded.

Joe Debrah is currently in Germany.