United’s marquee striker Baba Diawara ready to show his true ability to Reds fans
HE’S the forgotten marquee in Marco Kurz’s A-League title masterplan and Diawara Baba is desperate to become the relentless finisher Adelaide United’s manager demands.
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HE’S the forgotten marquee in Marco Kurz’s A-League title masterplan and Baba Diawara is desperate to become the relentless finisher Adelaide United’s manager demands.
Baba, 30, has been restricted through injury to 15 games across two A-League seasons for five goals.
The Senegalese striker is critical to Adelaide United traversing from 2017-18 finalist to championship contender.
“I always give 100 per cent and want this season to be the best in my career. I’m getting ready for a big season and I’m working as hard as I can,” Baba told The Advertiser.
Adelaide must find an extra gear to crack A-League’s top four and match big-spending rivals Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Melbourne City.
Japan legend Honda, former Leicester City defender Ritchie De Laet and Dutch forward Siem de Jong are marquee additions for champion Victory, Melbourne City and Sydney FC respectively.
Adelaide has bolstered its final third options with the arrival of former Bundesliga pair Kenny Ilso and Mirko Boland but Baba won’t be consumed by expectation.
“Last season wasn’t the best of the seasons I’ve had in my career but I don’t feel pressure from that,” Baba said.
A sharp, 45-minute shift in the second half of Adelaide’s 2-2 draw with Perth Glory in Wednesday night’s friendly at Hindmarsh saw Baba present a compelling case for inclusion in next Wednesday’s FFA Cup quarter-final against APIA Leichardt at Leichardt Oval.
“Marco has a strong character and he is someone who likes to work very hard. I have a lot of respect for Marco and I am learning a lot of things from him,” said Baba, whose two-year Reds contract concludes next May.
Dakar-born Baba returned from Senegal early this pre-season in a bid to find the fitness that eluded him when sabotaged by hamstring and thigh tears last campaign.
“It is very important I stay fit for the new season. I want to show the Adelaide fans my best and also help our team as well,” said Baba, conceding ‘separation’ from family in Senegal was a constant tug at the heart.
Baba believes optimism for the season is well placed after watching Reds 2015-16 championship winger Craig Goodwin provide silver service and slot goals in the club’s FFA Cup wins against Central Coast Mariners and Lions FC.
“I’m looking forward to playing with Craig because my style of football suits pin-point crosses into the box,” said Baba, blessed with an incredible vertical leap. “One of my best attributes is my ability in the air and we have seen already in the FFA Cup how good Craig can be when crossing. I’m looking forward to linking up with Craig and I think we can play well together.”
Watching the FFA Cup campaign from the stands has been frustrating but Baba says nothing trumps being in full flight for Adelaide’s October 19 A-League opener against Sydney FC.