Malik Abubakari on his first Malmo FF goal

The Ghanaian was recruited to Malmo FF a month ago and then left Moreirense. Malik Abubakari belonged to the Portuguese club for two seasons but never made his debut in the top league. Instead, he was sent out on loan and scored eleven goals in 33 games in the second division team Casa Pia.

At MFF, he has started in two Allsvenskan matches and jumped into two. In the last innings against IFK Gothenburg last weekend, he nodded in the 2-2 goal in the 86th minute, only to see the guests decide on a penalty during extra time.

– It was a great moment for me, I have worked so hard for it since I came to the club. I was so happy to be able to score my first goal in front of the fans. Now it is just a matter of looking forward to the next match and continuing to work hard, says Malik Abubakari, and adds that the joy disappeared after Blåvitt’s winning goal.

How do you see the first month in Malmo?
– It was a little difficult. But with the help of the team and teammates, I was able to acclimatize very quickly. I feel good and safe now, and happy to be in Malmo.

What has been difficult?
– This is the first time I change clubs, where I move from one place to another. It’s another country with a different way of playing in the league. It’s different from how we played in Portugal. I got to study many matches with the team and the style of play in the country as well as the team – I started with that before I came. These were small difficulties, but I have adapted and learned a lot from the days I studied. I’m ready to go.

Abubakari already moved to Portugal and Vizela’s U19 team in the summer of 2018, before leaving for Moreirense a year later.

– In Portugal we always had areas to play on and time to keep the ball. Here you have to make many quick decisions and it is a bit more intense. It is intense even in Portugal but there was a lot of space behind the back lines. Then the season started when I arrived and I needed to stay calm to get into the style of play here, says the MFF striker.

Abubakari has developed a close friendship with the team’s Nigerian midfielder Bonke Innocent, and says he likes the Scanian city.

– It is a good place to live in. I love the look and have tried the food, even the traditional one. I love it – it’s almost like the Portuguese – and I like the people around here. Over time, I will get used to things here, says Abubakari and continues about Innocent:

– It is always good to have an African brother. It makes one feel comfortable and become more confident in the team. He was alone when I arrived and I also make him feel comfortable. He has helped me in a little talk about the club, about the style of play as I said, and I am always grateful that he made me land and adapt quickly here.

Tomorrow night, a Champions League playoff for MFF against Bulgarian Ludogorets awaits at home. Malik Abubakari made two short innings in the winning matches against Scottish Rangers in the last qualifying round.

What would it mean for you to play in the Champions League?
– It has always been a dream, even since I was little. I have always had a dream of finding myself at that type of top level, of being able to compete against big teams and play in the Europa League or Champions League. It’s a good feeling and it’s a dream for all players to play at that level. I have been looking forward to this time in my career and I am grateful to be here in Malmö, in a big club that is always at this level, says Abubakari.

The first double meeting between MFF and Ludogorets has a kick-off time of 21 on Wednesday night.