Ghana international Mohammed Gaddafi Fuseini finished the 2024/25 season on a strong note as he guided Royale Union Saint-Gilloise to a first trophy in 90 years.
That success came in only his first season at the Belgian Jupiler Pro League side, having joined from Sturm Graz in July 2024.
As part of his success story, he also received his maiden call-up to the Black Stars team, scoring on his full debut during the 2025 Unity Cup third-place playoff win over Trinidad and Tobago.
Here is the full transcription of his chat with Joy Sports’ Lawrence Baidoo.
On his time with the Right to Dream Academy
I moved to Right to Dream when I was 10, and I was there for like nine years. Being at Right to Dream is not easy; you have to work hard. There are a lot of players, and you have to be really special to get to Nordsjaelland.
When I first joined the Right to Dream academy, I was in the group of [Mohammed] Kudus. Even though I was younger, I was training with them before Kamaldeen and co also joined. Kamaldeen [Sulemana] was in my age group then.
Being at Right to Dream is great, having to leave your family back at home and in Ghana, every player dreams of playing for the Right to Dream academy. To be chosen as one of the players to play for the academy, you have to be proud of yourself.
On failing to join FC Nordsjaelland after Right to Dream
I don’t really know [how I didn’t make it to FC Nordsjaelland]. I think maybe I was not good enough, that’s why I didn’t move to Nordsjaelland.
But whatever happened had to happen. Look at where I am now. I’m still grateful to have taken my own path.
Going to Austria was one of the best things that happened to me. When I saw everybody in my age group at the academy leave, I was there with the young one, but I didn’t give up. I kept telling myself I would get my time too.
When the time came for me to go to Austria, I was already prepared for it. When I was leaving, I told my agent that if I didn’t sign a contract there, then I would not come back home. That meant I was ready for the challenge.
When I went to Austria [to play for Sturm Graz], I started with the second team. They were in the Third Division, and then I had a couple of goals which helped them get promoted to the Second Division. I was with the second team, and I got promoted to the first team.
On his time at Sturm Graz
I knew [playing with the first team at Sturm Graz] was a big opportunity to prove I was good enough to be with the first team. I was on the bench for my first game with the first team, and then I came in the latter minutes of the game; we were losing, and I came on to score the equaliser for the team, and that is when I got more opportunities to play for the first team.
[Playing in the European competitions with Sturm Graz] was a great experience. My first international game with the first team was against PSV in the Champions League qualification phase (2023/24 season). I was not really nervous, but it was tough.
I didn’t start that game; I was on the bench. The best feeling would have been starting the game and also getting the opportunity to sing the Champions League anthem.
On joining Randers on loan
I knew the assistant coach at Randers. He always wanted me to move there and play for them. But the first time they approached me, a deal didn’t happen; it happened the following year. I knew it was the perfect time for me to go and showcase in the Danish League.
During a point in the season at Randers, my agent told me about the interest from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. I knew I was going to transfer there, and I started watching some of their games.
USG’s interest in me pushed me to perform even better. After hearing they wanted me, I felt that if I pushed a bit harder, I could get a better offer from them, and I knew it was the best option for me at that time.
At the time, I had a friend who was also playing there. When I heard the interest in me, I texted him, and I also did my research about the club.
On jumping onto the Belgium bus
When we started the season, there were ups and downs. I started the season pretty well; I had a few goals and assists, but then after a few games, I felt like I was not in my best shape.
It got to a point where I got injured as well, which affected my availability for the team. When I returned from the injury, I had lost my position. I had to keep working hard, and when I had the opportunity to play again, I had to show I am still the best in my position.
On playing in the Championship playoff round
It was an amazing feeling [playing in the Championship round], that is the toughest part of the season, the last 10 games. You need to win all your games; you don’t need to drop points. Every game is important, and you have to win.
We had recorded just one draw during the playoff round, and getting to the end, everyone was nervous because if you dropped points, the team behind you could go above you.
On winning the Belgian league
I am blessed to have won the Belgian Jupiler Pro League; not only that, though. I think I’ve won some silverware every season since I started playing professional football.
[Winning the league] was a social moment for the players, everybody at the club and especially the fans. Having not won the league in 90 years, and to win it for them was an amazing story for the fans and the players, especially the new ones who had just come in.
On getting called up to the Black Stars
I was informed about the Black Stars’ call-up five days before the last game of the season. I was excited when I got the call from the management team of the Black Stars.
At that time, that wasn’t really my focus because I had a bigger assignment to do (winning the last game and winning the league). I had to make sure we ended the season well and went to the national team with a good feeling.
That day, we had training in Brussels, then on my way home, I got a call from the Black Stars management, and they informed me I’ve been called up to the Black Stars team (for the upcoming games in the Unity Cup). He didn’t even finish talking, then I ended the call.
I tried calling my mum first to inform her about the call-up, but I couldn’t get in touch with her because she was in Saudi Arabia. Before that, my manager already knew about it.
On his first Black Stars experience
The experience was really nice, especially being with the senior players. The captains and everyone really welcomed me well, gave me lots of advice and told us we had to take the opportunity given to us. I just had to be ready to grab my chance.
At first, I was shocked when I saw [Essien and Appiah in training]. I couldn’t believe it, and I thought I was dreaming. With Essien, I saw him a lot when I was playing in Denmark, and he would always give me some advice, and when he saw me in the national team, he was also proud.
You could see I was passionate when I came on for the game against Nigeria. You could see I wanted to show something and get my name on the scoresheet.
On scoring his first Black Stars goal
It was a dream come true for me to start my first game for the national team, and it was also a dream come true to get my first goal.
Otto Addo just told me to go out there and do my thing. He spoke with me about how he wanted me to play. I was a bit confused at first because I had not played as a winger in a long time, so it was a bit difficult for me.
On his style as a player
I am a dynamic player; I can play as a striker and also on the wings. At this moment, I am enjoying playing more as a striker because, you know, playing in that role, you get to score more goals. Playing as a winger, I still get to score, though, but I don’t really mind where I play; I just give my 100% wherever I am asked to play.
On competition in the Black Stars
There’s a lot of competition in there, especially with the wingers and the forward lines. It was a great opportunity for some of us to also showcase our talent.
I think we have a lot of talented players. We just need to build on it to make the team stronger, where we can play together and win games.
On staying in the national team
I need to perform well at my club to be in and around the national team. When I do that, I will get the opportunity to play for the national team more.
On Ghana not making the 2025 AFCON and chasing World Cup qualification
I think it’s really disappointing considering how big we are on the continent, and with the good players we have, we deserved to be at the AFCON. Things happen, and we just need to move on and look towards the future.
I am really confident that the team is going to make the 2026 World Cup because with the players we have, it should be possible to win the remaining games.
My target is to stay in the national team and become a starter, score goals for the national team and take the team to where it should be.
On his targets for the next season
I have been training a lot in the last few days, and I have to be ready for the new season. I need to be in my best shape when the season resumes.
For me, I just hope we start the season really well because last season we didn’t start well. I want to be the top scorer of the league, score a lot of goals in the league and the Champions League.
I want to like 10-15 goals in the first half of the season, and I can take it from there, come back for the second half of the season and get as many goals as I can.
Growing up, I modelled my game around players like Asamoah Gyan and Essien, even though I’m not a midfielder. He had a good shooting technique, which I liked. Jordan Ayew and Andrew are also players I looked up to. Globally, I see myself similar to almost every top winger.
In the next two years, I want to play in the top five leagues with a big club. I don’t really want to talk about the future because I’m more concerned about the present. I need to give my best to achieve my goals this season, and we can take it from there.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
- President Commissions 36.5 Million Dollars Hospital In The Tain District
- You Will Not Go Free For Killing An Hard Working MP – Akufo-Addo To MP’s Killer
- I Will Lead You To Victory – Ato Forson Assures NDC Supporters
Visit Our Social Media for More
About Author
