FootballMadeInGhana.com had a one on one with former Asante Kotoko striker Dauda Mohammed who is now with Dutch side Vitesse Arrnhem.
A retrospective look into his days at Anderlecht, his views on the current Asante Kotoko team and how ripe he thinks he is for the Ghana U23 side that has Algeria to beat to qualify for the U23 AFCON.
Dauda also spoke about the Black Stars and guess what, … he selected his automatic eleven players who will surely be part of Kwasi Appiah’s squad for the 2019 AFCON.
FootballMadeInGhana.com will use the initials FMIG while Dauda Mohammed goes with DM in the interview.
FMIG: Good day Dauda. How are you doing?
DM: Good day my brother. Alhamdulillah I am fine and you.
FMIG: Alhamdullillah I am good too. It’s been a while. How have you missed Ghana?
DM: (…laughs) There is no place like home. I have missed Ghana but I am enjoying my life here in Netherlands because I’m doing what I am passionate about.
FMIG: What’s your experience of the Eredivise so far after tasting some games?
DM: I’m really happy and excited being in this country and playing in one of the best leagues in Europe and Eredivise is a good competition. It’s really tactical and more offensive minded and the teams love to play and keep possession.
FMIG: You started well with some brilliant goals. How will you describe that?
DM: Yeah I feel good at the moment being new here and adopting well with my mates. I love to score goals so it’s not a surprise but with time it’s going to come more.
FMIG: Are you disappointed that Anderlecht did not give you enough platform to excel after your wonderful days with Kotoko?
DM: Well, I’m not really disappointed because I know such situations happen to young players in big teams and besides it’s through them that I got the chance to move to Vitesse Arnhem. So I’m okay.
FMIG: People say you would have developed very well at Kotoko than moving to Anderlecht because you would have had consistency with playing time. Do you agree?
DM: I simply don’t agree with that even though I never know what might have happened but there’s no place to develop well than Europe. I know I didn’t have a lot of chances in Anderlecht but I’ve learned a lot there and it has improved me to become a better player.
FMIG: Where do you see yourself in the next two years now that u are scoring and playing regularly for Vitesse?
DM: I’m really happy with my situation here at the moment and I hope it continues like this. I want to be in the top level of football in Europe and breaking through in the national team.
FMIG: Do you think you should have been at Vitesse earlier than now?
DM: I can’t say I should’ve been to Vitesse earlier because good things happen at the right so I would say this is the right time. Maybe if I were here earlier, it wouldn’t have been like this.
FMIG: You followed Asante Kotoko in the CAF Confederation Cup campaign. What’s your impression of the team?
DM: Yeah I was impressed with their performance and their style of play and they were holding possession really well but it was quite unfortunate they failed to qualify to the next round at the last moment. They should just go back home and prepare well for next season.
All hail Akonnor
FMIG: CK Akonnor has spent just 5 months with the club and following their exit from the Confederation Cup, some people say he should be sacked. Do you agree?
DM: I don’t think sacking him is a good idea because for me the team did well in their competition and they’re also playing really well too. He just needs time and they’ll improve.
FMIG: Now that you have started scoring, do you think you are ready for the Ghana U23 considering your age?
DM: Obviously yes I’m more than prepared for the U23 because I just turned 21 last month so am eligible to play.
FMIG: The U23 will face Algeria in their last game to decide who qualifies for the AFCON. How must Ghana take that game?
DM: Every country is determined to qualify and it’s not going to be easy so we need to approach it with all seriousness because you and I know how this North Africans behave during such of games.
FMIG: Coach Didi Dramani started with you at Kotoko and I know you really admire him. What has been your relationship since you moved to Holland as he’s now with Nordsjaelland?
DM: He’s a dad so you know the relationship and how it is between father and son. We always communicate and he encourages me a lot and sometimes calls me before games to give me confidence and how to approach the game.
FMIG: What will you describe as the most successful period in your career when you finally hang your boots?
DM: Haha, I still have a lot of years ahead of me and I will experience many things in the years ahead of me so let’s wait when I hung my boots, that’s the best time I can answer this question well.
FMIG: (laughs …) The Black Stars have qualified for the 2019 AFCON and already everyone is saying Ghana must win. Is it possible and what must Ghana do differently to win it after being in the semifinals since 2008?
DM: The players are really doing well and they’re fighting so hard to win a trophy for the nation but it’s unfortunate they’ve not won it yet after being so close a couple of times but they should just keep the same fighting spirit like before and with luck they can win. We just need luck on our side that’s all because we have all the good players to win the AFCON.
FMIG: You play football almost every week. What do you do differently apart from football?
DM: After football, I’m always home sleeping and relaxing. Sometimes friends come to me and we talk and make some laughs but I’m mostly at home.
FMIG: Name 11 players you think can be part of Kwasi Appiah’s squad for the AFCON 2019.
DM: Ghana has a lot of good players across Europe and in Africa but you know every coach has some kind of players he loves to work with and looking at his time since he took over the black Stars, these players are those I think without injury they’ll be part of his AFCON squad.
Richard Ofori
Kassim Nuhu
John Boye
Jeffery Schlupp
Thomas Partey
Wakaso Mubarak
Andre Ayew
Christian Atsu
Jordan Ayew
Kwadwo Asamoah
Asamoah Gyan
FMIG: Thank you so much for your time. Enjoy the rest of your stay here in the Eredivise.
DM: Don’t mention. My regards to everyone in Ghana.
