I’m ready to step it up a level
Keita says Bohs will see best of him now Ramadan is over
ABOUBACAR KEITA believes Bohemians fans will start to see the best of him now that he has finished observing Ramadan.
Ramadan ran from March 10 to April 9, with Muslims worldwide abstaining from eating or drinking during daylight hours.
And centre-back Keita, who joined the Gypsies on loan from Colorado Rapids, admits it is physically demanding for an athlete.
Keita goes into tonight’s rescheduled league clash at home to Dundalk having starred in Friday’s derby win away to Shelbourne.
And asked about Ramadan, he said: “It was very tough. That’s why at times, when you watch the previous couple of games, you can see at 50 or 60 minutes I’m getting tired.
“That’s religion. I’ve got to do what I got to do on that part. I’m happy now it’s over and I’m able to give 100 per cent to the team.
“Before Ramadan started, I spoke to the club and they knew where I was coming from,” added Keita, born in New York, raised in Guinea and moved to Ohio.
“They were able to help me as much as they could and they trusted me to play some of the games while I was fasting.”
Keita added:
“Not every club would give you that opportunity but I’m thankful to them for giving me that opportunity and helping me make the process easier.
“I’m getting back to full fitness now and I’m just hoping I can pay back the club for the trust and the chance they took on bringing me in after being out for a long time.”
Keita has battled back from an ACL injury, sustained shortly after joining Rapids in 2022 following a $450,000 move from Columbus Crew.
Invested
But he is fully invested in this adventure with Bohs having moved to Dublin with his wife Devionne and their nine month old son Abdou.
And having Abdou at home is a great distraction if Keita is ever feeling down in the dumps after a bad result or day on the training ground.
“It’s nice, to be honest, to be at home with my baby and have soccer here and then have something to look forward to going home, other than football,” he said.
“It gives you a different perspective on life.
“Football is not everything.
“I go home and I’ve a baby to take care of and you forget about football when you come home.”
But Keita — signed when Declan Devine was in charge — has thanked everyone at Bohs for rolling out the welcome mat after his move from America.
Adapt
“It’s different but it’s about coming in and learning how people play in Ireland and adapt to it.
“I’m a footballer, I should be able to go anywhere and adapt,”he said.
“Back in America, I’m used to playing more tactical, whereas here it’s more back and forth at times.
“But it’s part of the game.
“When the chance came I jumped on it right away, coming back from injury, having not played in a while, they took a chance on me and I’m just hoping to pay that back now.
“It’s my first time playing outside the US but these are the things you look forward to as a footballer, going different places and trying to adapt to different styles.
“If I can play in America and learn that system, then I should be able to come here, learn the system and hopefully go somewhere else and learn the system.”
Bohs are looking for a third victory under new boss Alan
Reynolds when they host bottom side Dundalk tonight and Keita added:
“We have to build on
Friday’s vic tory.”