Brice Samba was the hero of the hour for Nottingham Forest against Sheffield United last week - but one of his former teammates believes he can play even better.
The Reds goalkeeper saved three penalties in the shootout with the Blades to send Steve Cooper’s side to Wembley for a promotion decider against Huddersfield Town. And he had already made two stunning stops prior to that to deny Iliman Ndiaye during the semi-final second leg.
Ex-Forest midfielder Samba Sow, who left the club last summer after two years at the City Ground, keeps in touch with Samba. And the 33-year-old jokes sometimes he wants to “slap his face” because the Reds custodian still has more potential to fulfil.
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“I know Brice is a great, great keeper. Sometimes I even want to slap his face because I know he can do more,” he laughed. “He can do even more than he's doing now.
"It was crazy. It was a big game (against United) and he made some great saves - even during the game he made two great saves. And then to save three penalties as well is a dream for him.
"I'm happy for him. I'm happy for the team.
"They have to keep the same mind and the same spirit for the final. It is going to be tough. It's two teams who have had a great season and want to finish well.”
Sow, who is now with French club Lens, still keeps in touch with some of his old teammates, including Samba. He was in the away end for the final game of the regular season, when the visitors drew 1-1 at Hull City. And he teases that he would like to make a return trip to the City Ground to watch his old club in action - in the top-flight.
"It was a pleasure to be there. I didn't see everybody, but I saw some of the players. I was happy to go watch them,” he told NottinghamshireLive. "I still have friends there. And also, Nottingham is a good city. I like the city and I like the people around the club as well.
"For sure I follow how they are doing. When I left the club, I said it was a club I am going to follow for the rest of my life.
“It was a good experience for me. I always dreamed to play in England. I wanted to do more and stay more, but that's life. But I really enjoyed my time at Forest.”
