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owe my success to Abedi Pele – Sabato
By: Bernard Nyankomago Yeboah
Date: 25-01-11
Utility player, Sabato Mohammed has
attributed the success he has chalked so far in his football
career to Soccer Maestro Abedi Ayew Pele.
According to him the advice and training the former Black
Stars skipper and three times African Best Footballer gave to
him at Nania FC has brought many positives impact to his life as
a footballer.
Sabato Mohammed disclosed this in an interview with the Kotoko
Express before leaving the shores of the country last Thursday
together with the home based Black Stars team for
Kenya to
begin preparations for the forthcoming Championship of African
Nations (CHAN) competition in
Sudan.
Kotoko Express (KE): Nice meeting you for the first time, can
you tell us something about yourself?
Sabato Mohammed (SM): Thank you. Thanks
once again for the opportunity given me.
I am a native of Tamale. I was born to the late Mr. Mohammed
Fuseni and Madam Adam Hassana on December 24, 1989.
I am the third born among my three siblings. I had my
Primary and Junior High education at Bababaga Annex before
proceeding to Tamale Senior High, formerly Tamale Secondary
School (TAMASCO) where I completed in 2005/06.
What about your football career. How did it start?
I started playing football when I was very young but
my father never liked the idea of choosing football as a
profession.
He only wanted me to focus on my education. Since I was so
passionate about the game, I was never discouraged. Wherever I
see football action, I will quickly rush there no matter the
punishment I would receive from my father.
I remember we played a friendly match in my area and an official
of Republicans, a Colts side in Tamale spotted and brought me to
his team after the game. My father became so peeved
about that movement but his anger never bothered me.
I managed playing football alongside my education. Unluckily for
me, I lost my father somewhere along the line and my education
ended. After writing my Senior High Certificate Examination in
2005, I decided to focus on football because there was nobody to
finance my education.
I was recommended to Abedi Pele and he brought me to his team,
Nania FC who were then playing in the Division One League.
How was it like playing under the
tutelage of Abedi Pele?
It was great. Sometimes I stared at him for
several minutes at the training grounds because I never dreamt
of having close contacts with such a football legend in my life.
Working with him was simply marvelous. He was patient and
lovely. He was also open to every player. He took his time to
correct us when we went wrong.
He also inculcated total discipline into us and that has brought
some of us this far.
Even now, he sometimes calls me on the phone to advise me
especially after league matches.
I am most grateful to him because he has made me what I am
today.
I understand you were the skipper for Nania FC when they beat
Okwahu United 32-0 in that controversial Division One Middle
League match about three seasons ago. What really happened on
that fateful day?
In fact this is an incident I would like to forget in a
hurry but if you insist I will explain things to you.
It is never true that we played a fixed game or match of
convenience. We went into the game with full determination
because we needed victory to secure qualification to the elite
division.
In the course of the game about four players of Okwahu sustained
injuries. That gave us the upper hand to score goals at will
because we were even stronger than them when both sides had
eleven players on the field.
Subsequently the GFA imposed a year ban on us. It was something
that nearly compelled me to quit football because I felt I was
innocent.
How did your transfer to Wa All Stars come about?
After the GFA lifted the suspension, most clubs
expressed interest in me, but after a cursory look at things,
Abedi advised me to join All Stars who had then been promoted to
the Premiership to avoid pressure.
I must say I really enjoyed my stay at Wa. Coach Maxwell Konadu
and his Assistant, Nurudeen Ahmed had a lot of confidence in me
and it has helped me a lot. May God bless them!
Now to Kotoko. How have you fared so far in the team?
It has been good. I am really enjoying my stay in
Kumasi. The Kotoko supporters are very
kind and supportive.
I will never forget the kind of reception they gave us after
Kotoko defeated All Stars at Wa. They must keep it up because it
inspires us a lot.
What have you people brought into Kotoko that keeps propelling
the team to success in the second round?
It is determination, hard work and commitment.
Management realized that things were not going on well for the
club that was why they brought us in to help.
They have made huge investment in us and we also have to justify
it. We do not joke with our training. On the field, we play
together as a team with a common goal.
That is what is pushing the club forward.
We have not see you in action again after helping Kotoko defeat
All Stars and Dwarfs. What happened?
I sustained some injury on my right foot in the
Kotoko-Dwarfs encounter in
Kumasi
so the Doctor advised me to rest in order not to aggravate it.
Now I am fine.
What is your target in the league?
We want to secure a position to play in Africa next year. I know it will be difficult looking at
the form of teams like Chelsea, Kessben, Aduana, Edubiase, but
if we avoid complacency and keep our composure, I am positive we
can make it.
You are leaving Ghana
tonight for Kenya
to begin preparation for the CHAN Tournament in Sudan. What are your expectations?
Nothing but the ultimate. Our predecessors won
silver medal in the maiden edition in Ivory Coast. We want to make history
this time round and bring home the trophy.
Ghana is billed to play South Africa, Zimbabwe and Niger in
Group B. What do you know about your opponents?
Not much, but we w ill not underestimate any side
because there are no minnows in modern football. We will attach
the necessary importance to every game. What we need is total
prayers from all Ghanaians.
Thanks and all the best.
It is a pleasure but please help me thank Lawyer Teddy
(My God Father) who works at the GFA. This man has been very
helpful in my football career. I pray that whatever he has lost
on me, God will reward him in multiplies.
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