Ex-Kotoko defender Mohammed Awal has impressed in South Africa

Maritzburg United defender Mohammed Awal says that he is loving life at the club since moving to the Premier Soccer League in the off-season.

The Ghanaian centre-back has produced some impressive performances since his arrival fro, Ghana Premier League champions Asante Kotoko and says that watching the PSL in Ghana prepared him for his career in South Africa.

“I’m happy, very happy here. I’m staying in an apartment in town and I enjoy Pietermaritzburg because it’s quiet here, and that’s what I am used to,” he told the club’s official website.

“It’s my first time in South Africa, and what I like is that it’s a football-loving nation, soccer is very important to the people of this country.

“When I was in Ghana still I used to watch the PSL, especially Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, Pirates was my team! So I knew what to expect,” he added.

“I have found the standard here to be much better than back home. That’s because it’s a very tight league – a team can beat you at home, and then you can go and beat that same team away, anything can happen.

“I have done ok so far on the field, but I’m not happy yet, I can improve a lot. Playing in a new league is an interesting challenge as I do not know my opponents.

“But it’s like going into war, you don’t know if you are going to be killed, or kill! So it’s about concentration, you have to be focused.”

Awal began his career at the Gomoa Fetteh Feyenoord in Ghana before signing for Asante Kotoko in November 2010.

The 24-year-old was one of Kotoko’s key players when they won last season’s Ghana Premier League, and was voted the league’s best defender.