‘I was fighting for a BPL title for so long’

Malian striker Souleymane Diabate has been a driving force for Mohammedan Sporting Club since joining the Black and Whites in the 2018–19 season. The 34-year-old has stood by the club through thick and think, becoming a symbol of loyalty. This season, his dedication has finally been rewarded with a maiden Bangladesh Premier League title for himself and the club. Club captain Diabate played a pivotal role in the club's historic triumph, netting 10 goals in 15 matches. The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman caught up with the veteran to discuss Mohammedan's triumphant season, his enduring commitment to the club, and much more.

The Daily Star (DS): Captain, it took six seasons here at Mohammedan for you to win the league. How did it feel?

Souleymane Diabate (SD): I'm so happy. After six long years at Mohammedan, I've made it and we've won the league. So Alhamdulillah, we are champions. I was fighting for this one for so long.

DS: How challenging was the league this time, considering the absence of big clubs like Sheikh Jamal DC and Sheikh Rasel KC?

SD: This year was our year. All the teams were complete, everything was there. Allah had already decided that Mohammedan was going to win the league. So, no one could change it.

This time, the league was very tough [to compete in]. Abahani was there, Bashundhara was there, Fortis and many goods team were there. We fought for it and won.

DS: Last season, Mohammedan were runners-up in the league, the Federations Cup as well as the Independence Cup. This time around, you got eliminated from the group-stages of the Federation Cup. Did it fuel you desire to win the league?

SD: We were eager to win that. Like I said, it was Allah's will. We were out of the Federation Cup, but it didn't matter because we had won it before. So, this was our chance to win the league. Mohammedan had never won it. So, we were focused on that. The league was more important for us than the Federation Cup.

DS: Mohammedan has been struggling to clear payments for a long time and couldn't even clear payments for the last three months. As a professional player, how do you keep yourself motivated in such situations?

SD: We are professional players. We play in so many countries before coming to Bangladesh. We face the same problems like we face here. So, we handle the problems and we continue to play by being mentally strong.

We are from Africa. We are mentally strong. I knew that Mohammedan was going to pay. They are going to give everything before we leave. So, it was not much of a problem because I have been here for six years. Local players, or foreigners, they are going to pay. That's why we didn't cause any problems and continued to play our football.

As far as this season is concerned, I'm telling you that they will pay. Don't worry about the payment. There have been so many problems and the country had collapsed after Sheikh Hasina got toppled. There are business problems but Mohammedan still managed to pay the players. I know they will pay.

DS: You were offered to leave Mohammedan two years ago. What made you stay?

SD: Football is not all about money. It's about the respect and the love also. So, the love Mohammedan gives me and the respect they give me, that's why I stay. I know if I go to another team, they are not going to give me the same love. We are looking for money but it is not everything. They respect me, they love me, they listen to me also. Anything I say, they will respect it.

DS: How do you evaluate Bangladesh Premier League?

SD: They need more professionalism for Bangladesh football. Many countries, they are more professional than here. Even our team, they need to be more professional.

The league is good, but they need to add more teams, more professionalism.

DS: Can Mohammedan supporters expect to see you in Black and White next season?

SD: I cannot say anything yet. For now, we are champions and I'll celebrate this one and we'll see if I stay or not.