ABOUBACAR KEITA is hoping to repay Bohemians’ faith in him following the ending of Ramadan.
Keita has had a mixed start to his Bohs career since arriving on loan from Colorado Rapids on transfer deadline day.
But the centre-half turned in his best performance yet in Bohs 2-1 win over Shelbourne on Friday night.
And it may have been no coincidence that it followed Eid on Wednesday, marking the month-long observance of fasting between sunrise and sunset.
Keita said: “It was very tough. That’s why at times when you watch the previous couple of games you can see at 50 or 60 minutes I’m getting tired.
“That’s religion. I’ve got to do what I go to do on that part. I’m happy now it’s over and I’m able to give 100 per cent to the team.
“Before Ramadan started, I spoke to the club and the club knew where I was coming from.
“They were able to help me as much as I could and they trusted me to play some of the games while I was fasting. Not every club would give you that opportunity but I’m thankful to them for giving me that opportunity and helping me make the process easier on me.
“I’m getting back to full fitness now and I’m just hoping I can pay back the club for the trust and the chance they took on bringing me in after being out for a long time.”
‘Bouba’ is in Ireland to try to kickstart a promising career which hit a roadbloack when he tore his ACL in March 2022.
He had previously clocked up 37 MLS appearances for Columbus Crew, was on the bench for the MLS Cup final win in 2010 and played every game for the USA as they reached the quarter-finals of the Under-20 World Cup in 2019.
Rapids paid an initial $300,000 – with another $150,000 potentially due – to secure his services in January 2022 but he suffered the serious knee ligament injury before he got to play a competitive game for them.
And, having not made an immediate breakthrough to the first team after regaining his fitness, he jumped at the chance to come to Ireland where he has been joined by wife and baby son Abdou.
That, coupled with Declan Devine’s sacking and replacement with Alan Reynolds has meant considerable upheaval for Keita, who was born in New York, spent part of his childhood in Guinea before returning to the States aged 10.
QUICK CHANGE
Keita, 24, said: “It’s a part of the job, you know, you have to adjust, you come in, guys make you feel welcome.
“Alan coming in is the same, we had to adapt, and adapt to the system he’s bringing in and we just have to trust the process.
“It was a quick turnaround but the guys make it easy and Alan coming in, we all try to make it easy and follow the boss.
“Back in America, I’m used to more playing, more tactical, whereas here it’s more back and forth at times. But it’s part of the game. I’m a footballer, I should be able to go anywhere and adapt to the football.”
And he is working on building an understanding with Jevon Mills, another player on loan, from Hull City, in the heart of defence.
He said: “Jev is a young guy and I’m trying as much as I can to help him. We both come from different places and we’re both used to different styles of playing and stuff.
“But he’s a guy I think can go a long way if they are able to take care of him and I’m just hoping I can help him as much as I can.”
Bohs will hope to keep the momentum going against Dundalk tonight and Drogheda United on Friday.
Keita said: “Shels were sitting first place and we’ve come to their back yard and got the win. We have two games at home and if we can get six points it would be great.”