Having recently returned from a loan period with Boulogne-sur-Mer in the French Ligue 2, Gope-Fenepej has been biding his time with the reserves waiting for a chance to prove himself.
“People need to know that I am still under contrct with Troyes (until 2016) and when I returned from Boulogne-sur-Mer, I had a long meeting with the coach, Jean-Marc Furlan,” Gope-Fenepej says.
“He told me that he would need everyone, that the season would be a long one and I would get my chance at some point or another. So it was clear to me. I need to stay and be patient.
“It’s up to me not to miss my chance when it presents itself. I know I have a place in this team, I don’t doubt it. I have confidence in myself. I know that I can be useful and win matches.”
Rumours about a move to Ligue 2 side Auxerre and a return to US Boulogne were rife at one point, but Gope-Fenepej says his priority was always to remain with Troyes.
“I did say to my agent that if a Ligue 2 offer manifests, I would be open to their proposition. With AJA, it was a real opportunity, and I was disappointed when it didn’t work out at the last minute.
“On the other hand, both my agent and I decided not to pursue an opportunity in the National for now.”
When pressed on why he would opt for playing reserve football with Troye over regular football in National division, the striker says the choice is easy.
“There’s not a large difference between the two divisions. But overall, I’m 27 years old and I know that if I definitively leave a professional club to go and play in National, it will be difficult for me to return to a higher level.
“I am extremely grateful to Boulogne for having confidence in me last season but the chance to be part of a professional club, I couldn’t see myself leaving without trying my chances one more time.”
Training week in, week out, with the first team is bound to get frustrating when you are struggling to get your name on the teamlist but Gope Fenepej says it allows him to continue progressing, with a clear target in sight.
“I give everything in each training and I want for the coach to announce the list every Friday. I can’t hide my disappointment when I’m not named.
“But when I turnout for the Reserves I also give everything. I take each encounter as a cup match, I know there will be recruiters on the sideline of every game and that the coach is keeping an eye on how the players are developing in CFA.”
With the winter window due to open soon, Gope-Fenepej remains open to changing his situation, but says returning to New Caledonia isn’t on the cards just yet.
“Of course it’s hard sometimes. I miss my family. But if I come back, what message will that send to our young players? To my brother, my cousins, my nephews?
“For them, I wouldn’t be a good example. I want to prove to them that I can do it. I have understood, since my arrival, that there is a big difference in top level football – it’s mental.
“You have to be incredibly strong mentally to succeed. I keep my head up. Since I was little I have dreamed of being a pro footballer, and I’m living that dream every day. I won’t let it go.”
For more on New Caledonia football visit www.fedcalfoot.com
Interview courtesy of Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes www.lnc.nc