Once Aston Villa, now Türkspor Augsburg: Moustapha Salifou - Kicke

Mr. Salifou, they are 38 years old, kicking in the fifth-class Bayernliga. How long does your body do that?

I still want to play the next season. Then I listen to me.

You have played in the Premier League, 66 international matches for Togo completed, included in Germany with the World Cup in Germany. Did you get out of your career what was going on?

No, unfortunately not. The World Cup was a very good experience, but otherwise I just played too little in my career. I pretend that very much. I had a chance, but unfortunately I could not use it ...

In 2007 she changed from the Swiss second division FC wants to Aston Villa, in the best league in the world. 500,000 euros Villa had the transfer at that time. How did that happen?

I noticed the people of Villa at the World Cup, but it did not work out with a change. You said I should play first for want. They wanted to get me later.

And so it came too. But did the change to Aston Villa hurt your career? They came only to four missions in the league, although they were there four long seasons under contract ...

At that time I was so happy about this change! But on my position there were many good players who also had experience in the Premier League. That was missing me.

After all, they were fanbleble ...

Yes, there was even a song for me. But in the end that was not enough, I could not give them much back. That was not easy for me.

These ex-professionals are kicking now in amateur football

If you think back: What was the special moment, the special game of your career?

Togo against France, at the 2006 World Cup. We lost 0: 2, but Togo was a colony of France. That was like a derby for us.

And the best player with which you have ever played together?

If I have to decide for one, then Emmanuel AdeBayor _ (former Arsenal striker and Salifous teammate in Togos national team, note d. Red.) _. We still have contact today.

Are there any other former players?

Yes, to many from the national team. Even at Aston Villa there are still a few people, Isaiah Osbourne and Nigel Reo-Coker, but now plays in the USA. Sometimes Ashley Young also comes to it.

How does it happen in 2016 after a short commitment to Regionalligist 1860 Rosenheim near Türkspor Augsburg in the national league?

I live with my family in Munich, because I met two guys who play at Türkspor Augsburg. You wondered if I have myself to play football again - just to have fun. I did not want to sit around at home, so I'm with. For me it was a small club, but they welcomed me.

Your former nickname was "Togo-Zidane" because they were playmakers and radiating this lightness on the square. Has your game changed today if you compare with the Moustapha Salifou from 2006?

Already, especially the speed is no longer like earlier. The body just does not do it anymore. But the ball security is still there. I'm actually playing on the six at Türkspor, but if we have problems behind, I'm also center-back.

You count with Turkor to the top teams of the Bayernliga South, had a successful start with three wins from five games. What are your goals this season?

I want to play with the team up, make the next step. Ascend into the 4th league.

And then? Moustapha Salifou again in the Regionalliga?

I just look how I enjoy it, at the latest after the next season is for me. After that, I want to work as a trainer, first as "CO" at Türkspor. I already work on the licenses, but Corona has stopped a little bit.

Salifou 2011 in the jersey of the FC Saarbrücken. Imago / Becker & Bredel

To person:

Moustapha Salifou was born in June 1983 in Lomé, Togo. For the national team Togos, for whom he completed 66 missions, he debuted at the age of 17 years. In 2002 he went to Germany to the then second division red-white Oberhausen. Further stations were Stade Brest and FC wants before he moved to Aston Villa. There he first received a contract for a year, then another contract over three seasons. After his time in England, it went back to Germany to the third division 1. FC Saarbrücken. Soon after that was the conclusion with professional football.