For Abdoulaye Bamba, Moise Kean, author of 11 goals this season, found with PSG a club favorable to his development.
You are referenced on several websites as being the cousin of Moise Kean. Is it correct ?
ABDOULAYE BAMBA. No, I’m not his cousin. On the other hand, we have known each other since our childhood, because our families lived in Turin, Italy, and dated each other. We are both of Ivorian origin and we would meet at parties, weddings, or he would come to the house.
What memories do you keep of it in his childhood?
I was closer to his older brother Giovanni because we were about the same age (Editor’s note: Bamba is 30, Moise Kean 21). But I remember that when Moise came to us, he always asked for Degué, a preparation made from semolina and milk very popular in Ivory Coast, he loved it.
What about football?
When he was a kid he played in Torino and we already talked a lot about him in the city. My father, Mamadou Bamba, had favored his arrival at Juventus. At the time, he was in contact with a coach from the training center and was in charge of spotting young foreign players under 15 for Juve. That’s how he went to see Moise’s family and joined the rival Torino.
Have you been to the Juventus training center yourself?
Yes I got there when I was 10 years old. I think I am the first player of Ivorian origin to have joined the training center. You could say it started with me. After Moses arrived.
Newsletter PSG express
Our information on the capital club
At Juventus, was Moise a promising player?
With the Primavera (Editor’s note: the equivalent of U19 in France), it was already a phenomenon, he was walking on water. He was powerful and made real differences. Subsequently, I attended a training when he had gone up to the professionals and it was the same thing. Moise showed the same audacity, he had no fears.
We have the impression that he got lost a bit later. As if he had experienced a growth crisis …
At Everton there was already a squad in place with young and established players like Richarlison and others. He didn’t have his chance but he knew how to keep a cool head. The most important thing for him was to find a club that would allow him to continue his progression. The Moses that I know is that of Paris, not of Everton. At PSG, he is having fun again. I had his brother who helps him a lot on a daily basis, and I know he is well in France.
Are you still in contact with Moise?
Yes, I told him to go slowly against us because he scores almost every game and Angers needs points. Then I asked him to reserve his jersey for me after the match. In Italian, all this is more natural with us.
Do you worry to think that you might find yourself facing him this Saturday?
We are already worried when we play against Paris … We have never won against PSG, it is still the leader of Ligue 1. But we will face them with our strength, our possibilities and a grain of hope.
PSG have already lost 4 times this season in Ligue 1, is that what makes you think that you have a chance this time?
It will be necessary to be effective at the right time, and to press them high, because if we leave them in their comfort, it is immediately easier for them. The offensive transitions are one of our strengths, so we will have to build on that.
