AFCON 2015 SPECIAL: Interview with impressive Ghana defender Baba Abdul Rahman

Published on: 02 February 2015
AFCON 2015 SPECIAL: Interview with impressive Ghana defender Baba Abdul Rahman
Abdul Baba Rahman of Ghana during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Senegal and Ghana at Mongomo Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 19 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

By Rahman Osman

Follow on Twitter: @iamrahmanosman

Baba Rahman looks to become the best-left back in the world. With Ghana having struggled for a natural left back down the years the sudden rise of Baba Rahman has been a huge sigh of relief to Ghanaians.  

GHANASoccernet.com’s Rahman Osman chronicles Rahman’s sudden rise to fame.

You’ve probably been asked a couple of times this question but can you tell me who is Baba Rahman?

I am just Baba Rahman Ghanaian like you and plays football as a hobby and luckily I get to earn my daily bread from it.

You have risen to prominence in the last twelve months gaining recognition in German football and at home what has been your key?

For me it’s been hard work, commitment and recognition of where I come from and the need to give my best at all times of-course Almighty Allah has been favorable.

You went from second division straight to a giant like Kotoko how did you feel making your debut especially against a foreign opposition (Sharkes FC of Nigeria)?

Wooow!!! What a game it was, I still remember it as if it was yesterday. I didn’t have a friend in Kotoko and sitting in the dressing room alone a lot of things came through my mind initially I was timid but I realized I had an opportunity to make a name for myself and by His grace I did quite well that day but it was a day I can never forget.

You were part of the Kotoko eleven that broke the new Baba Yara jinx vrs Hearts. What was the feeling like especially being tasked to mark an icon like Laryea Kingston?

I Thank God I was part of that team, it was not an easy game I remember I had challenges even staying close to Laryea because he had experience and I was just coming up and trying to make a name for myself. The manner of the win I remember made the wait quite worth it.

In Ghana where football chances are limited, young players normally depend on the Under 17 to kick-start their football dream. Being the captain of the Under 17, how did you take it when you failed to qualify for the African Youth Championship?

I am being very frank with you it was really hard for me, I had dreams of playing in the World Cup so when we couldn’t get to the African champions I was wondering what next for me? But that same year I had an invitation for a trial at Anderlecht but again after the trial I was still young to sign a professional career in Europe so that one too didn’t work out.

Talking about Europe you had an invitation for a trial out at Arsenal during your Kotoko days how did you take the disappointment when you failed to honor the invitation?

That was another hard time for me but fortunately I had people around me who made me believe that there are better things in the future for me. But obviously it tasted like a missed opportunity.

On the national team you were first invited By Kwesi Appiah but you were just a squad player ….How did you take it especially when the whole nation was crying about left back and you weren’t giving an opportunity to compete for it?

I kept believing in myself and I kept hoping that one day the opportunity will arrive, it’s a bit disappointing when you travel all the way down and not getting a look in but I had in mind that there was going to be an opportunity someday.

You had a lot of offers including some from England. Why did you move to Germany or you agent forced it on you?

Every country and its football and I looked through and realized that at that time and for my personal development German football was the best for me. Let me add this my agent never forced anything on me I won’t even allow it to even happen.

Abdul Baba Rahman of Ghana during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football match between Ghana and Algeria at Mongomo Stadium, Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea on 23 January 2015 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Abdul Baba Rahman of Ghana during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football match between Ghana and Algeria at Mongomo Stadium, Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea on 23 January 2015 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
At Greuther Furth, You faced Bayern Munich in a local derby. As a left back, you had to deal with super stars like Robben and Lahm on your flanks…what was reaction when you were named in the starting lineup did you feel frightened or were you intimidated in any way?

That was another dream fulfillment, if I am not mistaking that was my second full game for Greuther Furth and it was my first time at the Allianz Arena and when we came out for warm up I had a few tickles in me but after that all went well. It was a game I felt I had improved personally looking at my performance.

The whole issue of Black Stars being unpatriotic and having money as their motivation to play for their nation. What is your take on it?

I am yet to meet a player of the national team who is unpatriotic and we are all committed to doing well for the nation. For what happened some time ago I cannot comment on it because I was not even in Brazil and do not know what went on there.

Harrison Afful at the World Cup said his idol was Philip Lahm. Who is yours?

Hmmmm Lol it’s a bit difficult for me because a lot of people do well in my position but I think I like Marcelo of Real Madrid, but my aim is work hard and be the best in the world at my position A move to which club would you consider a dream move?  Manchester United without a doubt.

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Comments

  • BASE
    says: 9 years ago
    Keep up the good work Baba Rahman and sky will be just the beginning for you. Please try to be humble.
  • Michael
    says: 9 years ago
    Fine player, keep working hard. I just love this guy.
  • nana
    says: 9 years ago
    I like dis guy, very intelligent, jst remember to remain humble at all time..