“My only wish is to see Fatawu become the next Ballon d’Or winner from Africa” – Mohammed Gago

Retired Ghanaian international Mohammed Gago has drawn similarities between legendary Abedi Ayew ‘Pele’ and Sporting Lisbon’s new acquisition Abdul Fatawu Issahaku.

 

According to the former footballer turned coach, the teen sensation has similar attributes to the former Black Stars skipper and reckons he could be the next African player to win the coveted Ballon d’Or award since George Oppong Weah.

 

Fatawu was recently announced as Sporting Lisbon’s latest addition after he inked a five-year deal with the Portuguese outfit.

 

Prior to his move to Europe, Issahaku played for Ghanaian top-flight club Dreams FC and has been a regular fixture in the Black Stars squad since his heroics in Mauritania.

 

The 18-year-old turned heads on his way to scoop home the Most Valuable Player at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania, scoring two goals as Ghana won its fourth title at the U20 level.

 

Gago, who coached Issahaku during his formative years at lower-tier club Steadfast FC, hailed the talent of the Black Stars teen sensation liking him to three-time African Player of the Year, Abedi Ayew.

 

“Fatawu is an exceptional player, it’s a God giving talent that he has. You see Fatawu play and you remind yourself of Abedi Pele. I was lucky to be there to watch Abedi Pele when he was with Real Tamale United at the time, I was a colts team player growing up until I catch up a bit with them before he left” He told 3sports as quoted by Football Ghana.

 

“I mean, you see the replica of Abedi Pele in Fatawu. His touches, movement, the speed, the passing, the awareness, ability to hold on to the ball and doing whatever he wants to do with the ball, I mean you can see that if Fatawu” he said.

 

Since Liberia’s George Weah clinched the Ballon d’Or gong in 1995 no African has been able to scoop home the coveted individual award but Gago wishes Fatawu becomes the next winner of the award from the continent.

 

“My only wish is to see Fatawu become the next Ballon d’Or player of Africa.” He ended.

Source: Sports Brief.com