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 We will take Kotoko to high places – Fatawu Mohammed
By: Bernard Nyankomago Yeboah
Date: 25-03-11
Flamboyant midfielder, Fatawu Mohammed, is convinced the current crop of players in Kotoko can take the club to high places if they continue to get the necessary support and motivation from stakeholders of the club.
In an interview with Kotoko Express on Wednesday, he observed that the club’s performance in the second round, particularly against Accra Hearts of Oak last Sunday gives much hope that the team has a bright future.
He therefore appealed to supporters of the club to exercise restraint for both the technical and playing staff adding that by the time Kotoko takes full shape, the team would be difficult to beat.
“We are committed to serve Kotoko with all our strength .What we need at the moment is patience and support from our fans. They should know that Kotoko is still in the rebuilding process and by the time it takes full shape it will be great and peerless in Africa football” he pointed out.
Born at Garu in the Upper East Region, Fatawu Mohammed started Colts football with Bolga based Catholic Stars. After three years spell with Catholic Stars he joined Real Tamale United (R.T.U). Though it was his first experience in the premiership, he gave a good account of himself throughout his three years stay with R.T.U before moving to Wa All Stars in the 2009/10 football season where he helped his side to finish sixth in the Glo Premiership.
By dint of hard work, he was signed on by Kotoko after the first round of the 2010/11 Glo Premiership. Among some of the players Kotoko registered during the same period include Iddrisu Nafiu, Awal Mohammed, Michael Akuffo, Yaw Frimpong, Mohammed Sabato and Nathaniel Asamoah.
The rest are Gershon Akuffo, Bukari Alhassan and Apraku Frimpong, Joseph Tachie Menson, Frank Boateng, Seidu Traore as well as Ahmed Toure.
Asked how he has fared so far in the team, Fatawu who described his coming to Kotoko as a dream come true said he was impressed with his output so far. However, he hopes to put in a more strenuous effort in order to maintain a regular shirt in the remaining games.
“We were about 14 players that were recruited into Kotoko after the first round and the fact that I get regular playing time shows that the coaches appreciate my effort. I will continue to train even harder and improve on my form because the battle is not yet over”.
The left footed winger was simply amazing in Kotoko’s emphatic 2-0 victory over Hearts in the 22nd week fixture last Sunday at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium.
Operating from the left side of the pitch, Fatawu thrilled the numerous Kotoko fans who thronged the stadium with his speed, skill and flair.
He also had effective co-operation with Michael Akuffo, Daniel Nii Adjei and Frank Boateng in the midfield. It was no wonder Hearts’ Obed Ansah, Theophilus Appoh and Esme Mends were found wanting in the centre of the field throughout the game.
Asked what motivated him and his colleagues to put up that first class performance at the expense of their archrivals, Fatawu attributed it to three major factors.
“You know Hearts beat us 1-0 in Kumasi so the only thing that echoed in our minds was vengeance.
“Secondly we also wanted to win not only to justify the investment Dr. Sarpong and his management have made in us but also to show our heartfelt gratitude to their good works and motivation they continue to offer us.
“The kind of support we received from our fans on the day was also overwhelming so we wanted to give them something worth their money. We thank God that he gave us the strength to fulfill our targets perfectly on the afternoon” he said.
Having dealt with the Phobians, Kotoko will play their city rivals, King Faisal in their next league match followed by R.T.U, Berekum Arsenal, Heart of Lions, Ashgold, Mighty Jets, Liberty and Medeama SC in that order.
Fatawu Mohammed says his message for these eight teams, especially those who were lucky to enjoy the better part of Kotoko in the first leg is very simple. He wants them to have at the back of their minds that Kotoko is on fire and if they dare come closer they will be burnt into ashes.
The victory Kotoko chalked over Hearts has among other things moved Kotoko to the third position with 34 points after Berekum Chelsea and Medeama SC who also have 47 and 35 points respectively.
Though the former R.T.U and All Stars player admitted that it would be difficult for the Porcupine Warriors to overtake league leaders, Berekum Chelsea looking at the points difference he was cocksure the second position would not elude them.
Aside his dream to play in Europe one day, Fatawu revealed that he is also aiming high to get a call up into the Black Stars.
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