Back, Alef Manga reveals fear and talks about the future at Coritiba

Close to re-opening Coritibathe attacker Alef Manga revealed, this Monday (30), that he was afraid of being banned from football, after being convicted by Operation Maximum Penalty, for having accepted money to receive a yellow card in a match for Alviverde in 2022.

The player was reinstated to the Coxa squad last week after serving 360 days of punishment for manipulating football results. The player said he was sorry, but made it clear that the case has already been overcome and that he wants to move on.

“I honestly don’t know what happened in my head [na época]. I ended up in this situation, which was very serious, everyone knows that. I know that many people around me look up to me and I have to set an example”, said the striker in an interview with Globo Esporte Paraná.

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“I’m aware [da gravidade] and it’s not much. But it’s water under the bridge, I think we have to move on. It took ten months of much reflection“, he added.

Alef Manga was afraid of losing his career

Manga received a yellow card on September 3, 2022, in the 25th round of the Brasileirão that year, in the match against América-MG. In July, he was sentenced to 360 days of punishment by Brazilian football and, in October, FIFA extended the striker’s punishment to all countries.

According to the winger, he was afraid of being banned from the sport. The athlete also revealed that he found support in his family to get through the troubled time.

“The fear was for what was to come, mainly my career, my family, and of course, the club. I always wanted to play for Coritiba, since I was at Volta Redonda and I had the opportunity to be at Coxa. I was very scared of what could happen in my career,” said Alef Manga.

“I thought am I going to be banned from football? Will I no longer be able to do what I love? And God gave me a second chance, I know that few have this opportunity. 100% regret, I want to come back, turn things around, help my teammates and the club”, continued the athlete.

Manga says he needs time to gain Jorginho’s trust

Before Manga was reinstated, Jorginho made a strong statement about the player and stated that the striker’s conduct needs to be “exemplary”. For the winger, gaining the trust of his coach and teammates is a matter of time.

“I think confidence comes with time, with a lot of work, with a lot of dedication. I had the opportunity to meet with my companions there and I spoke about what I was feeling inside me. I asked them and the white thigh fans for forgiveness. I’m sure everything will be fine. We have the capacity to gain access,” said Manga, who met last week with the cast of the white-knuckle team to apologize.

The player can make his debut this Friday (4), precisely against América-MG, for the 30th round of Series B. Manga said he is looking forward to returning to the pitch and trying to help the team in the final stretch of the competition.

“I know it’s not the same thing to train with a group and alone, I’m fully aware of that. But regardless of whether I spent ten months without playing, how much I worked in those seven months using the club’s equipment, taking care of myself as much as possible, I’m sure that at some point the teacher and my teammates will need me. I really want to be able to be with the delegation on Friday”, said the attacker.

Before joining Alviverde’s main group, Manga had been training separately with the team since March this year, to improve his physical side. According to Jorginho, if during the week the athlete shows that he is capable, he can travel with the delegation to Belo Horizonte and play for 15 to 20 minutes.

Alef Manga wants to stay at Coritiba

Alef Manga also spoke about the future in the thigh-white team. Manga has a contract until December this year and can renew for another season, something he doesn’t hide his desire to do.

“I’m worried because my contract is about to expire in December and it will only depend on myself, I have to demonstrate it on the field. I want to be able to stay here at the club for a long time, I identified a lot with Coritiba and I want to stay here“, he said.