Jonathan Zongo shares his experience of promotion to top flight through play-offs
'The veterans told us that if we had reached the promotion, there was no other option than to go all the way and finish it in the best possible way,' he said on UDA Radio. He also sent a message to the fans: 'We must fill the stadium and push; we have to all come together like we did.' The Burkinabe is preparing to become a coach
Jonathan Zongo is one of the illustrious players in the history of UD Almería due to his footballing career, achievements and his charisma. He arrived at UD Almería 'B' from his home country, Burkina Faso, under the guidance of then-sporting director Alberto Benito and spent 7 seasons at the Club. He soon made the leap to the first team and with them, he earned promotion through the play-offs and played in the top flight, winning promotion. He now lives in our city and attends youth training sessions. 'I want to become a coach and I came here to learn by being around the best,' he said on UDA Radio.
During the interview, he was accompanied by Ibán Andrés, head of the Atlético de Madrid Academy, who knows the Burkinabe very well. Not surprisingly, he was the assistant to Javi Gracia, one of Jonathan Zongo's coaches. The former player, who played as a striker or winger, is now 36 years old. He played 52 matches for the 'B' team and 111 for the senior team.
In January 2017, during the African Cup of Nations, Zongo suffered a serious injury and decided to hang up his boots. 'After getting injured, football was over for me and I started studying and preparing to become a coach, something I'd always wanted to be. And that's what I'm doing,' he added.
Jonathan Zongo earned promotion through the play-offs to the Primera Division with UD Almería, in which they had to overcome first UD Las Palmas and then Girona CF, after also enduring a LaLiga stretch with ups and downs. 'It's not easy to face a promotion for many reasons; it requires extra effort. I remember the veterans telling us that if we'd come this far, there was no other option than to go all the way and finish in the best possible way, with faith and maximum concentration. You must be conscious of achieving your goal, without thinking about anything else.'
Regarding the current UD Almería squad, he said: 'I see them well prepared. I'd send a message to the fans to fill the stadium and push; we have to all go together like we did.'