Asante Kotoko defender gave an exclusive audience to SPORTSWorldGhana.com in a wide-ranging interview and we did not escape the delicate matter of professional Muslim footballers fasting in the month of Ramadan and playing competitive football at the same time.
This has been one of the never-ending topics in football with some Muslim players preferring to escape fasting on match-days whilst others decide to fulfil their religious responsibility no matter what by combining fasting and playing.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam alongside establishing the
“Kalimat Shahadah” that there is no deity that deserve to be worshipped except Allah (God) and that Muhammad was His prophet and messenger, the offering of the five daily prayers, giving Zakat and performing Hajj to Mecca when one is able to do so financially.
Many renowned Muslim footballers in the game like Senegalese Demba Ba, former Egypt international Amr Zaki who played under Steve Bruce at Wigan Athletic never dropped fasting for the sake of doing their job as professional players even during match-days but others have had to avoid it for the fear of losing their playing positions because their managers or coaches do not want to compromise their reduced performance levels when they fast and play.
This season the likes of N’golo Kante, Hakim Ziyech have been fasting and playing in the UEFA Champions League football at Chelsea whilst delivering high level performances.
But what does the Black Stars defender – who played two full games against South Africa and Sao Tome et Principe recently have to say?
“It is not easy but Allah watch over us. It is one of the toughest times in this our job. Allah ahs been there for us. It is not easy at all. It is our job. That is how we earn our living and so we have to adapt and see whether we can fast and play at the same time.” Ganiyu told SPORTSWorldGhana.com in an exclusive chat.
“Thank Allah the Ramadan is even almost over” he added.
