2008 was a year Ghana boasted a galaxy of stars. the Black Stars were blessed with top-notch talents most of them featuring in the big European Leagues. It was not surprising the four-time West African champions earned their highest FIFA ranking within that period. An ascension which began in from their first World Cup appearance in 2006.
However, at age 22, it was the year Fatau Dauda got his first call-up for the Black Stars under Claude Le Roy, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Breaking through as an AshGold goalkeeper, he defied the norm of national team selections dominated by foreign-based players.
Known for his agility and reflex saves, Fatawu went on to play a pivotal role between the sticks for Ghana from 2008 before finally retiring from international football in 2015: amassing a total of 26 caps along the way. Earning him the monicker, ‘Lion’.
Perhaps the most iconic moment from Fatau Dauda came at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He erupted into a wild celebration after saving a towering header from Cristiano Ronaldo when Ghana faced Portugal in the group stage.
Fatau Dauda saved Ronaldo's shoot in the 2014 world Cup.
🔛Asante Kotoko new signing pic.twitter.com/RwoKWepWkD
— Shaban Mohammed (@ShabanMo9) February 1, 2022
This followed an impressive performance in between the sticks during the 2013 AFCON.
Retiring from international football, Dauda transitioned into coaching, recently joining Otto Addo’s backroom staff as a goalkeeper’s coach. Drawing from his experience, he encourages current Black Stars players to approach the game with passion and dedication.
Speaking ahead of Ghana’s game against Uganda, Dauda shared with the team his experience during his time as Ghana’s number one and tells the current crop of players in the Black Stars camp to play with passion whenever they take to the pitch.
“I was in the team since 2008, by then I was playing for Ashanti Gold. Because of the national team even when I am driving and I don’t license my car, the police stop me and salute me. They request to take a picture with me. That alone is something. We have different generations, and that is normal. But think of this as a big work. And everything you do, do it with passion. That is what is keeping me going.”
He went on to advise the players who ply their trade locally to remember his story as a motivational one by always being ready and showing up to work whenever they are called up and given the chance to play.
“There is one thing that as a player, you should never forget. Whenever you’re coming to camp, tell yourself you are coming to play. If you are given the chance to. Because for me as a local player going to partake in the biggest continental competition, the African Cup of Nations, I had to be ready. It was between me, and Nathaniel Adjei and I was given the nod in goal. I kept doing my best in the team till I was an official starter for the team. Because everything is about training, passion, self-belief and thinking ahead.”
Several ex-players head into coaching after hanging up their boots. And although some have succeeded at it, it hasn’t been all rosy for others. After what can be described as a decent career playing for Ashanti Gold, Orlando Pirates and Chippa United, Fatawu decided to try his hands at coaching and says so far, he is enjoying it.
“After my career, I decided to go into coaching. Being an ex-player, does not equate to being a good coach. Especially if you don’t learn. I decided to go to an environment, where I can learn and that was at the right-to-dream academy. And now, I am enjoying it.”
Hopefully, his inspiring words will linger in the back of the minds of the players and inspire them to higher heights.
By Emmanuel Andam|3Sports|Ghana