Sergio Lobera and Juan Ferrando, the two Spanish coaches at FC Goa since 2017, used the tried-and-tested system, but Carlos Pena has dared to be different. He chose the captain himself, and his vote was for Brandon Fernandes, now into his sixth season at the club.
Fernandes got married two months back and his appointment as captain of FC Goa could not have been a better wedding gift. “Marriage has made difference to my personal life, but it has not affected my focus on football,” said Brandon.
Brandon to lead FC Goa
Brandon was the first player from Goa to go for trials in Europe – though he did so despite nursing an injury- and was also the first to have signed for a club in South Africa. He believes Europe is his football destination and therefore thinks the role of captaincy was given to him at the right time.
He plays different roles when asked by different coaches but breaking defences with splitting passes and leaving goalkeepers bewildered with his free kicks have come to be his specialities when with his team or representing his country.
His career started taking shape with Derrick, then he passed through Sergio Lobera, Juan Ferrando, Igor Stimac and now his former teammate Carlos Pena. Brandon was picked up for a song by FC Goa during the players’ draft before the 2017 -2018 season by Derrick Pereira and has since – despite injuries – expressed his love for the game.
“Captaincy is just another responsibility, one that will make me focus on getting all the boys on the same page for winning titles. Enjoying the game is one thing, seeing fans enjoy the team win is another,” Brandon said.
“I’m very happy for Brandon because he has the credit of his teammates, people working in the club and all the fans,” said Pena. “He is a good example of loyalty and commitment and is a wonderful individual, both on and off the pitch.” Brandon, one of the club’s long-serving players, will head a four-man captaincy group that includes Seriton Fernandes, Glan Martins and Spaniard Marc Valiente.
