by The Owls have announced another major signing of the window, Karima Abdulai, who hails from Ghana. Her unveiling follows that of goalkeeper Paty, who was revealed on Thursday evening. The eighteen-year-old is a pacey forward who makes the switch from Ghanaian side FC Savannah.
At international level, she has also been rising through the youth Ghanaian international squads and recently got her first senior call-up. She will be available to play in the Assikura Women’s League under the direction of Saviour Darmanin, as well as with the U19 squad led by Dorianne Theuma.
The Sporting Fan spoke with Karima Abdulai on her footballing journey as she embarks on her first season away from home. Below you will get a taste of what to expect from the eighteen year old, as well as some insight into who she is away from the football pitch.
Eleanor Saliba: When did you first start playing football?
Karima Abdulai: I started really young, when I was about six years old at my primary school. We had this PE teacher who came with a football and asked us who can play the game. I had never played it but wanted to try it. The teacher there saw that I was very quick and that I could play so he decided to take me to town to introduce me to the coach of the club Dahinsheli. Since then, the coach used to come to pick me up to take me to training. At the time I used to sell things for my mother at the market, so after that I would run home and get ready for training. That coach taught me until I got to junior high school where they had the junior high school competition. There I played both football and athletics since I was very fast, but when I went to senior high school I decided to focus on football.
Following her time with Dahinsheli Ladies FC, Karima Abdulai signed with FC Savannah, where she stayed from 2019 until her departure to come to Malta to play with Swieqi United. In her maiden full season with FC Savannah, they won the Division 1 League and then continued their success into the National Middle League championship and the Ghana Women’s League. In her time with the team, Abdulai racked up a total of seventy-three goals and forty-nine assists, in forty-seven appearances.
ES: What made you want to come to Malta to play football?
KA: It was always my dream to become a professional player, I think that’s every footballer’s dream. So, I always worked hard with the belief that if I do well, I will have a team. So, when my agent called and let me know that a team in Malta was interested I was very happy to come. This is my first time crossing into Europe and I cannot wait to see everything. I have not yet had much time to visit different places in Malta but want to do so.
ES: How has your experience been with the team so far in preparation to start the league?
KA: I was working with the coach online until I got here. I have a very good impression of things so far, the organization and the dedication being put into everything by the coach. I was working hard to be true to his guidelines until I came here, and now that I am here I can see how he is a good tactical coach. I think there is good direction and we can do well.
ES: You are capable of playing on the wing but also as the central attacker. Which would you say you have more experience playing in between the two, and when playing on the wings can we expect more crosses or perhaps even cutting inside to shoot?
KA: I would say with my club team I used to play mostly in the centre, but with the national team I am more often on the right or left wing. When playing centrally, of course my aim is to lead the attack and score goals for the team. However, I have a lot of speed so in a lot of cases that means that I play on the wing. If I can put a cross in, I will do it, but depending on the situation I also sometimes cut inside to shoot.
ES: Swieqi United have been around the top sides of the Assikura Women’s League for a few seasons now. They won the Assikura Knockout last year and have made their intentions clear of wanting to win more silverware this season, including the league title. How important is it for you to be at a club that is bidding to win these titles?
KA: It is very important for me because I have literally crossed the sea to come here and do that. Of course, the idea is that hopefully I am able to do what I have done in Ghana, here in Malta. So, I want to prove that too and help the team to win.
ES: What are you most looking forward to when playing your first game with Swieqi United?
KA: Hopefully I will score some goals and assist a few more.
Quick Fire Questions:
- Score or Assist – Score
- Play in cold weather or hot weather? – Hot
- Waakye (Ghanain style rice and beans) or Tuo Zaafi (meat stew) – Tuo Zaafi
- Take player 1v1 or play 1-2s? – 1v1
- Favourite football player? – Lauren James
- Ice-cream or chocolate? – Ice-cream
- Play music or dance to it? – I like to dance but cannot do it well, so maybe play something and try to dance at the same time
- More strength or more speed? – more speed
- If you were not a football player, what sport would you play? – probably athletics since I was also doing that for a while
- Dream competition to play in? – World Cup
The Sporting Fan thanks Karima Abdulai for her time to be able bring you this feature and look forward to seeing her pace unleashed on the pitch very soon. Swieqi United will kick off their league commitments next Saturday 26th August against Mtarfa FC at 9 pm (Dingli Ground).
Lead Image: Swieqi United FC
Follow The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X
