The meeting is set at the Supercup Lounge at Lotto Park, where the enormous European Super Cup that Sporting won by beating Bayern Munich (2-1 in Munich, 4-1 in Anderlecht) and Liverpool (3-1) is on display. at Anderlecht, 2-1 at Anfield). Amuzu: “Have Anderlecht won this in the past? In which year ?”
In 1976 and 1978. For current Sporting, it would already be a small miracle to win the title, after so many years of struggle. You have experienced them all up close.
”I have a huge hunger to win the title. I have been at Anderlecht for almost ten years. As youngsters, we were almost always champions. And since I’ve been in core A – at the end of 2017 – I haven’t won anything.”
Vazquez is as fast as me: as soon as he has his stride, he also does 36 km/h.”
Did you train with René Weiler's group who won the last title?
“At 17 years old ? No. I played the Youth League. I wasn't even present at the title party which took place in the stadium. I don’t know what it’s like to be champion with the big guys.”
Against the Union, you scored a goal that could win the title. This season you only score important or high class goals.
“We absolutely wanted to win this final against the Union. Especially after the long series of defeats. But the best of my four goals was still my lob against Mechelen. I think it's the best of my career. I think I've seen it ten times. Against Charleroi, I score 2-1 with a header (Editor's note: in the center of Sardella, like Sunday) after missing a huge opportunity previously. And at Genk, my curling shot wasn't bad either (laughs).”
Exactly, it’s Genk that you’re going to this Saturday. Meanwhile, Anouar Aït El Hadj scored a similar goal against Antwerp.
”I want to win against Anouar anyway. We talk a lot. He's my best friend, along with Doku. Two weeks ago, he came to my house again. We ate together during Ramadan.”
Doku and I talk every day. Sometimes I get angry when he can't play.”
Do you know who your pet peeve is in D1A?
“No. Is it Genk?”
Yes. 11 defeats in 18 matches. But you know against whom you did the fastest sprint of your career, in 2021?
”It’s also Genk, eh? Was it 36.5 km/h? It's still my record. I reached this speed in a long sprint.”
Are you still the fastest on the team?
”I hope to be the fastest in the championship (laughs). Do you know who my main competitors are in Anderlecht? Vazquez and Ashimeru. You wouldn't say it, but Vazquez also runs 36 miles an hour. Not in its first few meters, but as soon as it is launched. And Majeed is very quick with the ball. I guess we have it in our genes as Ghanaians. Jeremy (Doku) is the best example.”
Who is more explosive, Jérémy or you?
”He is phenomenal on his first meters. From 0 to 100, it's like a bomb. If I do that, I'll tear myself apart (laughs). We had a bit of the same problem: we were fast, but we were rushing instead of raising our heads. But when we see its evolution… We talk to each other every day. He sees all my matches and gives me advice. Sometimes I get a little angry when he can't get into the game, like at Real Madrid, where he would have made the difference, given the spaces that were created (the interview took place before the return match). I would love to go see one of his matches at City, but my schedule doesn’t allow me.”
Do you dream of a transfer like his?
”When he was still at Anderlecht, I knew he would reach the top in Europe. I'm going to follow a different path than his. Everyone has their own path. But given my long inactivity, I am not thinking about a transfer at the moment. I have a contract until 2025. In my head, I tell myself that I will stay one more season. But hey, you never know what happens in the last seven games of the playoffs.”
Riemer saw you as a joker so as not to get burned but Thorgan's injury will change your status.
”Normally I don't like being a wild card. But since I'm coming off a long injury, I understand his vision of things. Now, I feel good. If he needs me at kick-off, I will be there. I love the playoffs.”
What is your secret? You were already the best Anderlechtois during the playoffs in 2022…
“I had scored four goals in six games, but I can still play better than that. Since I spoke with a psychologist, I am calmer on the pitch. When my agent recommended it to me, I thought it would be nothing for me. I was mistaken. He really helps me. I don't think too much anymore, I do my actions. I remember a period in my career when I didn't dare to take action. Every time I had the ball, I gave a little back pass.”
I was a Fanta drinker. But like kebabs, it's over.”
It seems that you have also changed your lifestyle.
“Indeed. For two years, I have realized that I am a professional player and that I must therefore live like a professional. Sodas are over. If I drink a Fanta, it's when I have a day off. I used to be a Fanta drinker. The kebabs are over too. I eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, I take my vitamins, I drink a lot of water to avoid cramps.”
We no longer see holes in your football socks?
“It's forbidden ! It's a bit annoying, because I can really feel the tension on my calves. I try to stretch my socks as much as possible before putting them on, but it’s not the same.”
It also seems that you have at home the “Robocop” device promoted by Haaland, which speeds up recovery and revives your muscles.
”Yes, I invest a lot in things like that. I have treatments at the physio after training, I do cryotherapy (a treatment that uses cold to improve recovery).”
Amara, my 5-month-old granddaughter, made me forget that I was hurt.”
Was the operation on your adductor muscles the first in your life?
”Yes, it was a bit of a shock. My head was spinning when I woke up after my anesthesia. (laughs). But the operation was really necessary. In fact, my abdominals had been hurting since the start of the season, because of the intensive training. I underwent a first small operation in November, but my appearance in December against Standard went badly. The three and a half months of rehabilitation were long. But I haven't lost my smile. Especially thanks to my little girl, Amara, who was born on November 21. She made me forget that I was hurt. In the meantime, she is five months old. She is adorable.”
Doesn't it keep you from sleeping?
“No. She only cries when she's hungry or to change her diaper and, yes, I've already changed her! But it's usually madame (Nora Chadili, who has a beauty salon) qwho takes care of it (laughs).”
Let's get back to football. Are you still calling Luc Nilis, who helped you during his very short stint at Anderlecht as attackers coach?
”No, we are no longer in contact. It’s true that he gave me good advice. I went to see his goals on YouTube and I must say that he scored some gems. Right foot and left foot. A forward coach can help you stay calm in front of goal.”
And your dad, does he still follow you closely?
“Yes. He watches my matches on TV. When we lose, he doesn't call me the same day, but the next day. After I played at Club Brugge, for example, he called me on Monday to say that I should have lobbed the goalkeeper when I found myself alone in front of him. Do you know that in Ghana – I returned twice to Accra, where I was born – my dad is more popular than me? It's because he played in D1 there (Théophilus Amuzu played a few matches at Standard and Mechelen).”
If Ghana had selected you for the CAN, would you have gone?
”They more or less asked for it, but they knew I was hurt. I might have said yes. Since I didn't know how to go there, I still have the choice between Belgium and Ghana. I have time before deciding between these two countries for which I have great respect. It is clear that I followed Ghana at the Can. There is a different atmosphere than here, especially with African music.”
And your 19-year-old brother, Joseph?
”Mechelen loaned him to Helmond Sport (13th in D2 in the Netherlands). He had a little dip, but he's getting better. He plays the same position as me, but he is taller and more muscular. No, he's not as fast as me. But he has a good shot too! It would be a dream to play with him on the same team one day.”
