Subsequently, the club was thrown into turmoil, with coach Jorge Costa, in particular, enduring a torrid time as those in attendance kept throwing tricky questions at him. Thus, at such a juncture, one would’ve expected the players to slightly retreat into their shell and bide their time before an opportunity came calling.
Yet, on a sultry afternoon in Navi Mumbai, Modou Sougou failed to give in to those aforementioned notions as he painted a picture of positivity amid the gloom engulfing the club. The Senegalese exuded confidence as he sat jovially with a cup of coffee and opened up on a variety of topics.
In an exclusive chat with Sportskeeda, he talked about the importance of Mumbai City’s next game against NorthEast United on the 27th of November. He said,
When asked about what aspects he felt the team had to focus on after the international break, he replied that the side needed to showcase the requisite mentality to stay together and keep working hard, traits that remain non-negotiable, despite the numerous changes the sport has undergone.
The crux of the conversation with Sougou though, revolved around his view on how Indian football had progressed in the past couple of years. A veteran of various leagues across the globe, the Senegalese has seen his fair share of different environments, thereby providing a myriad perspective on what ailments currently plague the country’s footballing reserves. He quipped,
To drive his point home, Sougou singled out Raynier Fernandes for praise, wherein he stated the Indian had added further strings to his bow, courtesy his propensity to studiously listen and understand the aspects related to off-the-ball positioning. The forward also opined that if Raynier continued on a similar upward trajectory, he could become one of the top players in the country.
A common thread through most of Sougou’s ideas revolved around the ability to possess a mentality tough enough to survive anything the sport could throw at him. And, it wasn’t too much of a surprise, considering the upbringing he had had in Senegal, where there is a plethora of competition for becoming a professional footballer.
Recalling his early years, he remarked,
Consequently, that attitude of never letting down one’s guard and always being well-equipped to tackle challenges has been ingrained into Sougou, meaning that he has found it easier to acclimatise himself to different surroundings.
Yet, he was quick to point out that his sojourn on the western coast of India remains unparalleled. He said,
However, he did have a slight complaint, wherein he issued the Mumbai City fans a rallying call, asking them to come out and support the side in huge numbers at the Mumbai Football Arena.
Thus, through an illuminating conversation, Sougou had highlighted the attributes that have made him an irresistible part of the Mumbai City machinery.
Blessed with an elite mentality and a tendency to always keep learning, the Senegalese has provided budding Indian footballers with the ideal template. And, even though he hasn’t been able to contribute much this season, owing to an ongoing injury, he has certainly been as influential off the pitch, especially when the club has been fervently searching for inspiration.
Most importantly though, Sougou, despite having plied his trade in the top leagues across Europe, rarely gives the impression of someone who’s too occupied with himself, thereby prompting young footballers to distance themselves from him. On the contrary, his charming personality only paves the way for aspiring players to pick his brains and ultimately, help both sides develop.
As for his approach to the game, not many are able to stare down the barrel and yet live to tell the tale in a manner that makes the task seem much less arduous than it might be.
After all, when asked what he wanted to achieve in the remaining 14 matches, he quickly corrected the query with a broad grin, stating that there were 17 matches still left this term.
And, that, just embodied Modou Sougou in a microcosm, didn’t it?
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