EXCLUSIVE Q&A: Asante Kotoko budding striker Dauda Mohammed
Meet 17-year-old striker Dauda Mohammed who announced himself to the world with a brace against Hearts of Oak last Sunday in the Ghana Premier League derby.
Former coach Mas-Ud Dramani scouted Mohammed and promoted him to the first team after excelling with the club’s U20 side.
Mohammed has been speaking to GHANASoccernet.com’s Rahman Osman on his development and meeting expectations after early promise.
GSN: Tell us how growing up was with you?
Dauda Mohammed: I was born on 20th February 1998 in a small town called Larabarganda in the Northern region but grew up in Suhum in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Even at the age of nine, I was seen as a footballer as I was overly talented than most of my colleagues.
Most youngsters have the challenge of combining school with sports. How did it go for you?
Yes it’s true the fact that every youngster had to be in school. I had challenges a bit because I had already made up my mind to play football from that young age. But God has been good at the age of 12 I was playing for Motisco FC’s U17 which was a remarkable feat for a 12-year-old boy.
Tell us about how you started playing and rose through the ranks to Kotoko. How was the journey?
Like I said in 2011, I was 12 years and Motisco FC signed me up to play for their U-17 which was a huge boost for me. A year after that I moved to a second division club in Accra called Global Stars FC. That’s where I started making strides. My luck shone in the 2013/2014 season and I was scouted by Kotoko and had a personal call from Mas-Ud Dramani who assured me of helping me to develop. That first season I was playing with the U-20 side of the team.
When you arrived at Kotoko, Mas-Ud Dramani who brought you in was on his way out. How difficult was it to settling down?
Yes it is true I was really sad to see Mas-Ud Dramani leave because I had a special relationship with him but that’s football, he promoted me to the first team before leaving and with the dint of hard work I am here now.
What do you make of Kotoko’s campaign so far and the work ethic of David Duncan compared to Mas-Ud Dramani.
Hmmm. Last season Kotoko won the league and a lot of players left. It’s virtually a new team under a new coach with David Duncan at the club. Football is a process. We will get to understand each other better I am certain of that as time rolls over. When the understanding is there, it becomes easier. I really admire the work ethic and detail taking of coach David Duncan. He really makes every player feel important.
You scored a brace against Hearts of Oak as a young man. How important were those goals?
(Laughing out loud). The feeling was special and I will never forget it, because matches between Kotoko and Hearts are memorable and for a young man to get the deciding goals was magical. The goal will go down in the annals of history, really happy to have performed well and felt important.
You have been tipped for greater things with head coach David Duncan saying he expects a lot from you do you feel any pressure?
Dauda Mohammed: I have never felt any pressure even when I was playing on the streets why will I feel any pressure when I am playing for the best club in the region. I aiming for bigger things and this is just the beginning.
I know you eat a lot of Fufu but what is your favorite dish?
I eat almost everything at this stage in my life but I guess I like Fufu because that was what my mum use to reward us with.
Finally any word for your fans.
I really want to thank God for all that he has done for me so far to my fans they should continue helping me out
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