Fatau Seeks Ashgold Return

A compelling urge to remain in the spotlight and the fear of the unknown have forced goalkeeper Fatau Dauda to make a rare demand for an opportunity to return to Ashantigold, his former employers, to enable him ply his trade locally. Dauda has been under intense pressure to consolidate his goalkeeping positon in the competitive fray of the senior national team in a situation where the Black Stars coach, Kwasi Appiah is spoilt for choice. Over the past weeks the situation has become compelling enough for the 28-year-old goal tender, following emerging reports that his strong rivals, Adams Kwarasey and Spain-based Razak Ibrahima, are in top shape and can make a strong case to dislodge him. Fatau wants Orlando Pirates of South Africa to preferably loan him back to his mother club or any other club as long as that will guarantee him a regular playing time ahead of the World Cup in Brazil this summer. Fatau, since his great showing at the last Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, has subsequently hit a bad patch and been struggling to sustain a club career at Orlando Pirates. The South African Club which signed him after the biennial continental showpiece has since dumped him on the bench in preference to Senzo Meyiwa and Brighton Mhlogo, two South African goalkeepers. Confirming the new twist to the Graphic Sports, Ashgold Chief Executive Officer, Kudjoe Fianoo, said the miners were ready to welcome their former goalkeeper back to their fold, but his outfit had been restrained by a last minute decision by Floyd Mbele, Pirates� chief administrator, to stop the move. Fianoo said Mbele had assured the goalkeeper of enough playing time, adding:�The player belongs to Pirates at the moment and the perogative to offer a loan deal remains theirs�. Fatau remains the Black Stars number one goalkeeper and has maintained that status at least in the World Cup qualifiers against the Chipolopolo of Zambia and the Pharaohs of Egypt. But his inactivity at Pirates continues to him in the midst of massive agitations to replace him ahead of the World Cup.