By Rahman Osman
Follow on twitter @iamrahmanosman
With Muslims strengthening their faith in the months of Ramadan, it is always a case of extra demands for footballers who are Muslims since they have to observe this period and at the same time put in extra energy to meet the demands of their work.
GHANAsoccernet.com brings you five players you didn’t know are Muslims and how they are coping with football and Ramadan.
Gideon Waja: (West Africa football academy)
The 19 year old midfielder is seen as a rising star in The First Capital Plus Premier League, and has been ever present in WAFA’s set up this season.
WAJA has his parents all being Christians but reverted to Islam five years ago.
According to him He became a Muslim through a friend called Habib Ibrahim whom he shares almost everything with. The nimble footed midfielder says playing football during Ramadan is nothing new.
“The month of Ramadan is a special month for every Muslim and it has no excuses because you are a football,” Waja told GHANAsoccernet.com
“I even thrive better in that period because it makes me want to do more.”
Kweku Andoh: (Accra Hearts of Oak)
Kweku Andoh is one of the simplest players you will come across in the First Capital Plus Premier League. Since his days with Hearts of Lions he has been a perfect example of a utility player and gives his all in every minute of every game.
The Hearts of Oak utility man was born in Nima and grew up in the environment of hardcore Islamic populace, so there is no surprise that Andoh despite having both parents being Christians decided to become a Muslim.
“Lol I became a Muslim even from an early age and I have tried to fast in every Ramadan since I was 7,” He said
“I was given an Islamic name but my mother decided that I kept my name from birth, even if I was not going to be worshiping their way.”
“For me there is no difference between the period of Ramadan and normal day when playing football, the impact is the same.”
Eric Ofori Antwi: (Asante Kotoko)
Having shot into limelight at a tender age, Ofori is beginning to reach his full potential for the porcupine warriors and has been blameless in a season that has seen the Kumasi based club struggle for consistency.
Both parents are Christians but having grown up Ofori took to Islam.
“I had always monitored the way Islam is and I think I started taking things serious during my Amidaus professional days,” Antwi said
“It just happened and when you are called you give it your all.
“The month of Ramadan is a highly anticipated month and irrespective of the occupation you do it’s a month that you really want to give it your all to your God.”
Ronald Bortey: (Great Olympics)
But if Olympics are to stay up it will come from the contributions of players like Ronald Bortey. Really intelligent player by all canons.
From his days with Feyenoord, Bortey was a Christian but converted to Islam through a friend called Bilal Mohammed and is now even considered a big spiritual father than his friend.
He says the month of Ramadan brings him too much joy he can’t afford to miss a day of fasting.
“The month of Ramadan is a must for every Muslim and since I became a Muslim I have always loved the month more so if we are to play a football match,” he said
“Most people complain that it is energy sapping but for me I try and see it as a moment of jolly so it’s really not a problem for me.”
Foli Adade: (Medeama)
He became a Muslim in his last year with Tema Youth, according to him it happened after carefully reading through the English version of the Islamic holy book (Quran)
Foli is now married to a Muslim woman and is expecting his first baby. He says Ramadan is one of those things in life you do not just have an excuse.
“Well the month of Ramadan is a month of blessing and if you are given the entire 11 months to yourself it is only fair that irrespective of what you are doing you give it you’re all,” he said
“I have never refused to fast because I have a football game, and I do not really see any difference between games that I have fasted and those I have not so for me it’s even an opportunity to go the extra mile.”