An interview with Salifou Soumah, who transferred from Zira to Sweden’s Malmo for €1.3 million, for Offsideplus.az
– Hello, Salifou. How are you? Where are you now?
– I’m well, thank you very much. I’m currently in Sweden.
– How is your physical condition?
– I feel excellent physically.
– You played in France for a while before joining Zira. Did you achieve what you wanted at that club?
– Absolutely. My time at Zira was rich and fulfilling. I found a good team, a great head coach, and a competitive league. I have many fond memories there.
– How would you evaluate your 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons with Zira?
– Those two seasons were filled with learning, both on and off the pitch. I gave everything I had for the club and I’m very happy with what we achieved together.
– So, Malmo. How did the transfer process happen?
– It was a tense but very positive period. The discussions were serious and based on mutual respect. I felt that Malmo genuinely wanted me. I believed in their sporting project. Everything between the clubs was handled respectfully.
– What was the main factor in choosing Malmo?
– This club is ambitious, has true European history, and a highly professional structure. I felt that I could help the club reach its goals while continuing to develop myself.
– Were there offers from other Azerbaijani or foreign clubs?
– Yes, there were some negotiations, but at this stage of my career, I was looking for a new challenge in different leagues. Other European clubs also contacted me, but I won’t reveal their names to maintain confidentiality. Malmo was the clearest choice for me.
– What were your goals in Azerbaijan? Have they changed after joining Malmo?
– My goal was to help Zira develop, qualify for European competitions, and grow as a player. My goals remain the same at Malmo, my ambition hasn’t changed: to improve, support the team, and maintain a high level of performance.
– At a press conference, Rashad Sadygov said, “Soumah’s best performance was against Qarabag.” Do you agree? What was your most memorable match in Azerbaijan?
– It’s an honor to hear those words. The match against Qarabag was emotional. But every game had its own special contribution. I also remember the matches where we exceeded expectations as a team.
– Watching you in a Zira shirt was a joy. Your goal celebrations were something special, too. Can you tell us a bit more about that?
– Thank you so much, I’m truly grateful. I express the fun of football that way. The dance comes from my country — Guinea. It’s a traditional dance, and when I score or we win, I love sharing that joy with the fans.
Idman.biz
