Ndaw adds Senegalese touch to Rollers� attack

Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Friday November 11, 2016 13:48

He did exactly that and the rest is history,” Township Rollers’ towering striker, Pape Abdoulaye Ndaw explains his first goal against Police XI in the first leg of the Mascom Top 8 quarterfinal in Francistown.

The goal officially launched the Senegalese striker to Rollers fans following his arrival at the beginning of the season. Ndaw joined Rollers from Senegalese side, Niary Talli and became a hot topic not only because of his towering figure but also because he is the first Senegalese player to grace the Botswana elite league. 

He was recruited following the release of Jerome Ramatlhakwana. With Rollers now set to venture into Africa after they won the league last season, coach Mark Harrison decided to beef up his already strong squad with the likes of Ndaw, Lemponye Tshireletso and Mosha Gaolaolwe. Ndaw in particular, having played both in West Africa and Europe is seen as a quality addition whose experience will be valuable in the CAF Champions League. Born and raised in Dakar, Senegal, Ndaw is a product of the Youth Academy in the West African capital, which also housed one of the current top players in the English Premier League, Sadio Mane. Ndaw and Mane played together at the academy before they moved separate ways when they turned professional.

“I was actually his captain at the academy. In 2012 I joined Niary Talli and kicked off my professional football as a senior player,” Ndaw told Mmegi Sport yesterday.  He stayed there for just one year before he impressed scouts and joined Romania side, Dynamo Bucharest on a five-year contract in 2013.  However, he played for two years and then moved to France on a six-month loan to Strasbourg.

“The weather in Romania was freezing and I struggled to cope. I moved to France and returned after six months. At that time the weather conditions were now warmer,” he said. He said after his return to Romania, Bucharest qualified for the Europa League, but things turned bad thereafter as the owner of the club decided to sell. “There were issues with payments of players’ salaries and I decided to terminate my contract and returned to Senegal. Ajax Cape Town showed interest, but there was a delay in the issuance of the work permit and the deal fell off,” he said.

Rollers then offered him his new home but Ndaw revealed Mochudi Centre Chiefs were the first to express interest in his services.  Rollers later enquired about him and he asked his agent, Paul Mitchell to weigh his options between the two sides. “I later told Mitchell that I want to move to Rollers and I do not regret it.”

He said Botswana football is competitive although the Senegalese League is a step higher in terms of professionalism. He stated that he is happy in the way Rollers supporters and the general public have treated him since his arrival here.  “Senegal is a peaceful country, but I have never in my entire life seen a country as peaceful as Botswana. The people here are very friendly and welcoming,” he said. Ndaw has already played two league matches and the Top 8 clash against Police XI. 

He came on as a second half substitute in all the games, replacing Terrence Mandaza and said he has already been impressed by four of his teammates in his short stay here.  “Tico (Lawrence Majawa), Boy (Segolame), Maano (Ditshupo) and FC (Lemponye Tshireletso) have impressed me so far.”  Despite his rise to stardom at an early age, Ndaw has been unlucky with the national teams, but added that it was something beyond his control.  “Every time I received a call up, it came at a time when I was either injured or was moving to another club,” he said.