We present an interview of winger Salifou Soumah to Offsideplus.az, who was transferred from "Zira" to the Swedish club "Malmö" for 1.3 million euros, scored 12 goals and 7 assists last season, and whose ideal is Leroy Sane.
- Hello, Salifou. How are you, where are you?
- I’m doing great, thank you. I’m currently in Sweden.
- How is your physical condition?
- I feel great physically.
- You spent several years in France, then moved to Zira. Did you accomplish what you wanted at that club?
- Absolutely. My time at Zira was very enriching. I found a good team, a good coach, and a competitive league. I have great memories from there.
- How would you describe your 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons with Zira?
- They were two seasons full of learning, both on and off the pitch. I gave everything for the club and I’m proud of what we achieved together.
-So, Malmö. How did the transfer process go?
- It was an intense and positive period. The discussions were serious and respectful, and I truly felt that Malmö really wanted me. The sporting project convinced me, and everything was handled with respect between the two clubs.
- What was the key factor that made you choose Malmö?
- It’s a club with ambition, a real European history, and a very professional structure. I felt I could keep improving while helping the team reach its goals.
- Were there other foreign clubs that made you an offer?
- Yes, there were contacts with other clubs in Europe, but I prefer to keep that private out of respect for everyone involved. Malmö was the clearest choice for me.
- Did you receive offers from Azerbaijani clubs?
- There were some discussions, yes, but at this stage of my career, I was looking for a new challenge in a different league.
- What were your goals in Azerbaijan, and have they changed now that you’re at a new club?
- My goal was to help Zira progress, qualify for Europe, and grow as a player. Now at Malmö, the ambition remains the same: to improve, help the team, and keep performing at a high level.
- Coach Rashad Sadigov said: « Soumah’s best match was against Qarabag. » What do you think about that? And what was the most memorable game for you in Azerbaijan?
It’s an honor to receive that recognition. The match against Qarabag was very emotional. But every match brought something special. I also remember the ones where the whole team exceeded expectations.
- Watching you play was a pleasure as you were one of the few standout players in the Azerbaijani league. Your dances were great too. Can you tell us a bit about them?
- Thank you, I really appreciate it! It’s my way of celebrating the joy of football. The dance comes from my home country, Guinea it’s cultural, and I love sharing it with the fans when I score or when we win.
