Listening to the life experience stories and somehow delving into the educational background of some of the new players recruited by Kumasi Asante Kotoko I have gathered enough evidence to assert that, a number of the players recruited by the management of the club have had a good experience with education which probably could have landed them equally decent jobs other than football. 

Why they all turned eventually to football vary in terms of reasons but one thing has been common and that is the fact that they love the game!

One of such players interviewed is Fatawu Mohammed, born on April 25, 1990 to Hajia Mariama Dantani and Mohammed Dantani at Bawku in the Upper East Region of Ghana.

Fatawu Mohammed, the third of his parents’ six children (three boys and three girls) started his basic and Junior High School education at Barboaka JHS at Garu, a suburb of Bawku.

As a young boy he wanted to be many things – a doctor, a pilot or an engineer. How he would achieve that dream is something he could not exactly tell at that tender age but as he grew up going through the various spheres of education, he realised that his dream was achievable.

Fatawu was not sure which branch of medicine or engineering, he would work or specialise. However, according to him there was the certainty that he would pursue a course in engineering or a related subject by the time he entered adulthood.

With the care, support and guidance meticulously offered by his lovely parents coupled with his seriousness both in school and at home, Fatawu Mohammed continued his education at Navorongo Senior High School (NAVASCO).

At NAVASCO he studied Agric Science for three years and qualified to do a program in Agric Engineering at Tamale Polytechnic. His parents often urged him on to take his books serious – something he did perfectly, but also never ignored his undiluted passion for football.

“I played football even as a small boy going to school. Football was part of everything I did whether in school or at home” said Fatawu Mohammed.

When asked about his childhood life.  “It was full of fun,” he recalled.

“You see, as child I did not know anything. I am however thankful to Allah that I had people who gave me the right advice all the time” he stated.

The seriousness Fatawu attached to his studies ensured that he ended his educational career with flying colours perhaps much the same way as he did in football, where he moved from Bolgatanga based Catholic Stars FC – Division One side (he captained for two seasons) to Real Tamale United (RTU).

Fatawu last club prior to his signing for Kumasi Asante Kotoko is Wa All Stars. He spent three seasons at RTU and a season at All Stars and he says the wealth of experience he gathered at these clubs currently puts him in a better position to excel.

“I have gone through the various levels of football before arriving at Kotoko. Kotoko no doubt is the biggest football club in Ghana. It is not easy to be a player of Kotoko but luckily, I built myself well at Catholic Stars, RTU and All Stars before joining Kotoko. I have the strength, experience and all it takes to perform for Kotoko”.

He is a devout Moslem and is not married. He enjoys watching movies, reading story books and newspapers at his leisure time and his favourite food is rice and stew.

Since joining Kotoko, the young midfielder has featured in two league matches – the away duel against All Stars and the Kotoko-Dwarfs encounter in Kumasi. He recently played for the Kotoko U-20 team against B. A. Stars and scored a hat trick.

“That was an exciting game because there were many goals. We played quite well. I am expecting more excitement as we move on” he said with a smile.

Fatawu definitely would want to pursue a degree’s course in Agric engineering at the university level sometime to come but for now, he wants to concentrate on football.

“I have not had enough in terms of education. This time in my life is for football. Later I will continue my studies at the University and live my dream of becoming an engineer in the field of Agriculture”.

Brief Information

Name: Fatawu Mohammed  

Date of Birth: April 25, 1990

Age: 24 years 

Position:   Midfielder

Former Clubs: Catholic Stars, RTU & Wa All Stars

Favourite Music: Country Music

Favourite food: Rice & Stew

Hobby: Watching football

Role Model: Cesc Fàbregas

Hometown: Bawku, Upper East Region