Photo: MICHAEL ERICHSEN / BILDBYRÅN
In the summer of 2022, IFK Göteborg signed the powerful striker from the German Union Berlin. The Nigerian had a shaky period behind him, but Blåvitt saw the potential and thought it would be possible to get him sorted.
A long contract over 2025 was signed, but so far it has not gone as planned and he has not yet started a single match in the Allsvenskan. Suleiman Abdullahi has had huge injury problems, playing only sporadically and not scoring a competitive goal.
In 2022 there were five appearances, in 2023 twelve and the very first appearance of the year came against AIK on Thursday evening when he replaced Kolbeinn Thordarsson in the 83rd minute with the score 0-1.
In some way, “Sulle” has become some kind of cult figure and the audience at Gamla Ullevi cheered loudly when he made his entrance. Shortly thereafter, he stayed in front of a post, won his duel and the ball went to Sebastian Ohlsson, who scored 1-1.
– He screened well. Then I probably also did a bit with the reception and the ending, says Ohlsson with a wry smile and continues:
– But he is strong there, nice to see him on the pitch. If he just stays fit and drives, he has top qualities that are brutal.
“Will be a fight to the end”
Does he show it in training too?
– It comes from time to time. But he has to be consistent and be able to do that and get his match fitness up, but there’s certainly something there. He came in and contributed today, says Sebastian Ohlsson.
Success jump – but only temporarily. In stoppage time, AIK’s centre-back Benjamin Tiedemann headed in the winning goal and ensured that his team put pressure on Hammarby and Djurgården in the hunt for second place behind Malmö FF.
At the same time, IFK Gothenburg is still very much involved in the battle for the bottom.
– Heavy, it feels strange to be standing here without a point considering how the match looked. We have ourselves to blame. It will probably be a fight to the end, says Sebastian Ohlsson.
Suleiman Abdullahi has not been too keen on doing interviews during his time at IFK Gothenburg. Inquiries in connection with training have often been answered with “maybe next week”.
After the meeting with AIK, he was booked by several media in the mixed zone. The attacker appeared as soon as possible, announcing that he was only going out to visit his family and then come back.
He didn’t.
Suleiman Abdullahi: The Unlucky Striker
Photo: MICHAEL ERICHSEN / BILDBYRÅN
In the summer of 2022, IFK Göteborg took a gamble and signed powerful striker Suleiman Abdullahi from German side Union Berlin. I mean, when they signed him, they must have thought, “Fantastic! A Nigerian striker who’s about as powerful as a freight train!” But unfortunately, it seems like they bought a ticket on the express train to Injuryville instead.
You see, this lad had a shaky past, and the club saw the potential, probably hoping that he’d transform into their very own version of Hulk. However, despite signing a contract until 2025, things didn’t quite go to plan. Here we are, with two years of questionable side-eye and an empty scoring chart – not a single competitive goal! It’s like owning a fancy car that never leaves the driveway!
In 2022, Suleiman graced us with a shocking five appearances. This year, we’re on the edge of our seats as we watch his grand total rise to twelve after making his season debut against AIK. What’s more exciting than waiting for him to start? Watching him replace Kolbeinn Thordarsson in the 83rd minute with the score at 0-1. Talk about dramatic entrances!
And yet, amidst all this, our buddy “Sulle” has become somewhat of a cult figure at Gamla Ullevi. Seriously, the cheers for his arrival are reminiscent of a rock star walking on stage! You’d think he was the second coming of a footballing messiah!
Right after he stepped in, he did what any good striker should do – got his head in the game and helped set up a goal! Sebastian Ohlsson, in a moment of humble bragging, said: “He screened well, probably did a bit with the reception and the ending,” as if he’s not just lobbing compliments like a soft serve ice cream at a child’s birthday party.
“Will It Be Enough?”
But don’t get too excited, folks! The drama didn’t end there. Just when everyone thought WE had a winner, AIK’s Benjamin Tiedemann headed in the winning goal in stoppage time, leaving IFK Göteborg in a tight spot, like a dog stuck in a cat litter box.
Sebastian Ohlsson summed it up elegantly: “Heavy, it feels strange to be standing here without a point considering how the match looked.” Not to mention, it’s going to be a battle for survival at the bottom. Talk about a season that’s going to be as tense as a soap opera cliffhanger!
Now, Suleiman isn’t exactly the chatty type when it comes to the media – he prefers to keep a low profile, responding to interview requests with a nonchalant “maybe next week.” So, naturally, after the match against AIK, when media outlets approached him, he must have thought, “You just want me for my fame, don’t you?” He announced he had to visit family before making an almost legendary, unexpected disappearance!
And just like that, when we thought he might finally spill the beans, he vanished! You could almost hear the Netflix documentary being pitched in the background.