Enterprising striker Mohammed Bukari Alhassan is hoping to make a great impact in the days ahead of him and help Asante Kotoko get back to where it truly deserves in African football.

Speaking to Kotoko Express on Wednesday, Bukari who emerged as the top scorer for the Kotoko reserve team with four goals in the first round of the Northern Zone Reserve League said his dream is to get opportunity in the senior side and prove his worth to all and sundry.

Below are excerpts of the interview:

Kotoko Express (KE): Nice meeting you for the first time.

MBA: Nice meeting you as well Bernard.

KE: Who is Mohammed Bukari Alhassan?

MBA: Mohammed Bukari Alhassan is a young player who is aspiring to be a great striker on the continent in the future. I was born on October 3, 1992 to Mr. Mohammed Bukari and Mrs. Mahama Rakia, in Tamale where I spent most of my early years. I have two siblings, a boy who is currently studying medicine in Cuba and a girl who is now at Wesley Girls Senior High School., Cape Coast.

KE: How did you start your football career?

MBA: I started playing football way back at Dahin Sheli Primary School in Tamale. I was very young by then but I used to participate in all football activities in the school. It continued when I graduated to J.H.S at the same school and subsequently to Prempeh College in 2001. At Prempeh College I played in Inter Houses, Inter Colleges, Milo championhips, etc. We won the 2004 Milo championhips held in Kumasi at the expense of Kumasi Anglican Senior High School (KASS).

KE: Did you play for any Colts side?

MBA: No because time was not on my side. I was always in school.

KE: I understand you once played for Real Sportive and Guan United in the division one league?

MBA: After Prempeh College I got admission to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) where I am currently doing my Masters in Architecture. I have been very active in the school team since I went there. In 2006 we played in the Inter University Games and after that I was selected among the National University team that represented the nation in Kampala, Uganda for the African University Games. We finished the competition with the same points with Uganda but they went ahead to win gold on superior goals. We won Silver medal. In 2007 I also played in the West African University Games in Nigeria alongside Frank Boateng where we finished 4th among 25 Universities. The following year we went to Serbia for the World University Games but we could not make any progress. Back home, Sabban Quaye, the then Team Manager of Hearts of Oak approached me but things did not work. I later registered for Real Sportive who were then playing in the division one league but we could not qualify. Olympics qualified at our expense. I later joined Guan United together with Shilla Alhassan and Alhassan Weah, formerly of RTU. I only played matches during vacations.

KE: What brought you to Kotoko?

MBA: Thank you. After the first round of the 2010/11 football season, I heard that the team was playing justify your inclusion exercise under Coach Bogdan Korak. I took part and impressed the coaches. I was the only player who was selected at the end of the day. I was duly registered for Kotoko alongside players like Ahmed Toure, Yaw Frimpong, Michael Akuffu, Awal Mohammed, Nathaniel Asamoah, Fatawu Mohammed and others.

KE: How have you fared so far in the team?

MBA: It has not been all that bad. In my first season I played in some few league matches. But I am yet to play in the Glo Premier League this season. I have only been playing in the reserve league. I am waiting patiently for the time Coach Maxwell Konadu will give me the chance and I will prove my worth to all.

KE: How are you combining football with academic work at the University?

MBA: Studying and playing active football at the same time is probably one of the most difficult things on the earth because you get divided attention all the time. Sometimes immediately after lectures I have to rush to the training grounds. Sometimes too we travel outside for University Games. About six months ago for instance I captained our side for the World University Games in China but we failed to qualify from the group stage. It has been very demanding but I don’t want to quit either of them. I want to play football and study to a higher level. I know God will help me in both areas.

KE: May your dreams come to pass! Your side is currently on top of the Northern Zone Reserve League table with 19 points after winning six out of seven games and scoring ten goals without conceding. What is the secret behind this success?

MBA: I am not a coach but based on what I have seen so far I can tell you that every player in the reserve team can play for the regular side if given the chance. We have quality play KE: Do you have what it takes to compete with Ahmed Toure, Nathaniel Asamoah and co for regular play if given the chance in the senior side?

MBA: We are all working in the interest of Kotoko so I will not come and compete with any player for anything. I will rather join forces with them and move the team forward.

KE: Finally how do you see Kotoko’s chances in the Glo Premier League?

MBA: I think we have a good side that can win the ultimate. We only have to double our efforts in the remaining matches because each side is well prepared.

KE: I wish you well in all your endeavours!

MBA: Thank you! ers and good technical bench who work perfectly together as a team.