Gerba, from Yaounde to Montreal

Gerba, from Yaounde to Montreal
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 15 July 2009
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Canada have surprised more than a few pundits with their performances so far at the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Topping a group that also included high-flying Costa Rica, Caribbean champions Jamaica and El Salvador, the Canucks have a new spring in their step. Leading the way for the northerners is their Africa-born ace Ali Gerba, poised to become the country's all-time top scorer.

"It was no surprise to us that we won our group, but it did surprise a lot of other people," said Gerba, who plays for Toronto FC, American Major League Soccer's only Canadian outfit. "People don't really expect a lot from Canada, but we have some very good players and we can go a long way. We knew that."

The muscular forward, who has scored 17 goals in 29 caps, seems to have hit the mark. Canada, shock winners of the 2000 Gold Cup, have been down in the doldrums of late. Coach Stephen Hart took over from Dale Mitchell, who Gerba will unseat as the nation's leading marksman is he scores three more times, just three months ago. Mitchell had been unable to see the side through to the final round of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
It's my job to score goals. I'm not concerned with breaking records and all that other stuff, I just want to take pressure off my mates.
Canada's Ali Gerba

With the new coach has come a new feel, a new sense of confidence, and it all seems to be flowing to the feet of Gerba, who recovered from a niggling knee injury to take part in the regional showpiece. "I'm happy with the way I'm playing," said the 27-year-old, who scored two match-winning goals in the first round, against Costa Rica and El Salvador. "It's my job to score goals. I'm not concerned with breaking records and all that other stuff, I just want to take pressure off my mates by putting the ball in the net."

Gerba was born in Yaounde, Cameroon, and moved with his family to Montreal when he was 11. He discovered football as a youngster in the streets of west Africa and was surprised to find kids playing the same game thousands of miles away up in the Great White North. However, there was a transition to consider. "That first winter was like something I couldn't believe and I can't describe," Gerba told FIFA.com with a chuckle. "I didn't know it could be that cold. But it warms up nicely in the summers."

His travels did not end then - not by a long shot - as Gerba has lined up for 11 clubs in six countries since 2000, including Norway, Germany and England. He is now back for his second straight Gold Cup, and the pain of the 2-1 semi-final loss to USA in 2007 is still fresh. "That game left a really bad taste in our mouths," he said. "If we keep playing well we could meet them again for a chance to set the record straight."

Gerba was also keen to rubbish some stereotypes about Canadian football. "People have misperceptions about us, like we're a bunch of ice hockey players," he announced. "But we have people from all over the world, and so we have players that are all different and can do different things. I bring a little bit of Africa to the Canada team, and the other guys bring their own flair."
It can only be one game at a time. When you're in the final, then you can think about the trophy because it's only 90 minutes away.
Ali Gerba is not looking past Canada's next game against Honduras

Up next for Gerba and Co is a date with Honduras, the side that knocked them out of contention for South Africa 2010, on 18 July in Philadelphia. "They're a good team, technical and strong," Gerba said. "But we're good too, with a lot of talented players like [Julian] De Guzman, Patrice Bernier, and Atiba Hutchinson. These are the kinds of players who can produce the magical moments that can turn a game."

And when talk finally turns to the ultimate magical moment, recreating the feats of 2000 and being crowned CONCACAF champions, pragmatism creeps into Gerba's words. "It can only be one game at a time," he concluded. "That's what brings you where you want to be. When you're in the final, then you can think about the trophy because it's only 90 minutes away."
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freako
16/07/2009 at 03:04
freako (Australia)
YankeeFan (USA), What do you mean if Australia can compete? We are number 16 in the world, reached the 2006 world cup 2nd round and almost defeated the eventual world champions, we topped our qualifier group ahead of Japan by 5 points with games to spare (conceded only 1 goal scored 12 and had a seven game in a row clean sheet) and we were one of the first teams to reach the 2010 world cup. We can more than compete, we are getting to the stage where we can become a real force. USA also is getting to that stage. We have just been unlucky before but Canada has just not been good enough. They are starting to become a team now but has only reached 1 world cup. They need to test themselves and they are underachieving. What Canada needs is to continue and perform in the world cup qualifiers like they do at the last two Gold Cup tournaments. At the Gold Cup Canada will meet a good Honduras team, can they win? I am not sure. Honduras has been playing quality teams so they may be more match hardened, that is their advantage over Canada. Canada has potential, but when are we ever going to see that potential transformed into a very good team.
cskinner25
16/07/2009 at 01:57
cskinner25 (Canada)
Dwayne De Rosario chose not to play for Canada because he wants TFC to be successful and make the playoffs for the first time. He and Serioux and Jim Brennan were not held back by their teams, they chose not to go. and in my opinion this is our best team playing in the gold cup, with the exception of maybe our keeper. i think those guys on TFC and other teams who didnt want to play are getting old. also i love that we are doing so well, we have a very underrated national team. and WOOOO i can't wait until Ali Gerba starts playing for us!! TFC!!!!
Icepic
15/07/2009 at 22:04
Icepic (Canada)
Canada has not been able to field their best team (Their A squad) if you want to call it that as several (5 members I believe) were not released to play by their various MLS clubs. De Rosario is just an example of one of those players. In fact Gerba may have been made available to the National Squad only due to the fact that he has just been signed by TFC and has not played yet for them.
Gutch220
15/07/2009 at 20:57
Gutch220 (USA)
scullion44, why WOULDN'T Canada be sending their "A" squad? They don't have to rest-up for WCQ's. If they wanted to win AND get up-and-comers experience, they should play the top players and top prospects. 15 out of 23(65%) on the squad have double-digit caps. The other countries have: Panama-25/30(83%) Costa Rica-14/23(60%) Mexico-11/22(50%) USA-14/30(46%) Haiti-10/23(43%) Guadeloupe-5/23(21%) Honduras-5/23(21%) If I were a Canadian fan, I would want the best possible team out there to win since the national team schedule will be full of friendlies the next couple years.
juveRA
15/07/2009 at 20:13
juveRA (Canada)
well i live in Edmonton and i play soccer all-year-round. it is true that it is difficult for Canada to further develop our players throughout the winter because of the brutally cold conditions (especially Edmonton), but at the same time we are building more advanced indoor facilities all the time, so we are definitely making a push for better quality of training throughout winter. As for Ali Gerba, he is the most significant Canadian player next to De Rosario, in terms of Canada becoming a better team and players wanting to play for Canada. Their popularity is making an impact
dubVman
15/07/2009 at 20:11
dubVman (USA)
Silika, Onyewu was not born in Nigeria. His birth certificate is from Maryland. His parents were Nigerian. Onyewu is All-American. Just ask him.
scullion44
15/07/2009 at 18:53
scullion44 (Canada)
The US , yes they have winter albeit not as harsh as ours up here .But the main difference is they have the MONEY , the VENUES , the COACHES , to get better all through the year. We don't have state of the art facilities that would allow our players to grow in the winter the same as they could in the summer unlike the U.S
scullion44
15/07/2009 at 18:52
scullion44 (Canada)
Gobble311 I don't know where you get your information from but Canada does not have their first team
silika
15/07/2009 at 18:23
silika (Nigeria)
Ali Gerba is just the reflection of the strenght of African players who are doing their various adopted countries proud. The list is endless if we are to chronicle the Africans that had done, are doing and are still aspiring to dorn the colors of European countries. This is a clarion call on the authorities over here to be up and doing in their quest to lift the game here.. Imagine the exploits of the Imo state, Nigeria born Oguchi Onyewu in the colors of the United States. Nevertheless I wish Canada well. One thing about Canada is their penchant for rising up when they are ruled out. I am not surprise.
Gobble311
15/07/2009 at 18:15
Gobble311 (USA)
Canada also happens to be the only nation that brought their first team to the Gold Cup. All of the other nations brought a weaker second team. Of course they won their group! I think Canada has a decent team but have yet to prove it against better competition.