Let’s win a trophy for suspended Dollah, says Sumareh

PETALING JAYA: Striker Mohamadou Sumareh wants his Pahang teammates to win their remaining matches and a trophy as a tribute to coach Dollah Salleh.

The 53-year-old Dollah, a former international striker, was banned 18 months and fined RM30,000 by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) last week for criticising the standard of refereeing and other matters after the Super League match against Felda United in Jengka on July 1.

Sumareh said that the punishment meted out by FAM was too harsh.

“We are all upset with the ban. We miss him because he’s a great coach and a very nice person. We will go out and win our remaining matches for him and, hopefully, win a title. It’s the right thing for us to do,” said Sumareh, who also played under Dollah at Police (2014) and Perlis (2015-2016).

Pahang are third in the 12-team Super League with 30 points. They trail leaders Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) by 12 points with five matches remaining. The Elephants will play last-placed Penang at the City Stadium in Batu Kawan tomorrow.

In the Malaysia Cup, four-time champions Pahang are second in Group A with three points with three more matches to play.

Sumareh admitted that it would be tough to win the Super League.

“But I believe that nothing’s impossible in football. We don’t know what will happen in the next five matches. Our job is to make sure we win these remaining matches and hope the teams in front drop points,” said the 26-year-old Gambian.

“We can win the Malaysia Cup as it’s still the group stage. Our aim is to reach the quarter-finals and take it from there. I want to win a silverware this season for Dollah. I think all my teammates feel the same way.”