Still hopeful: Romania based Sadat Bukari eyes Black Stars chance
Sadat Bukari is up and enjoying his football with Astra Giurgu in Romania but the former Heart of Lions attacker still have one desperate wish he still very much has the keenness to realize, to play for his national team.
Sadat was the striker tipped to be the perfect replacement for the legendary Tony Yeboah and he did show flashes of brilliance during his days in the Ghanaian league.
His transfer from Kpando Heart of Lions to Etoile Sahel reportedly hit the $1million mark but bar a cameo for the Black Starlets in Ghana's worst ever U-17 showing in Peru 2005, Bukari's early promise failed earn him a senior Ghana place. Nevertheless, the attacker is not giving up on a dramatic return.
'Well for me it's not a dream anymore because I've been there before and I already know how it feels to represent Ghana. But it's super special to play for my country and I hope to make a quick comeback to the national team again,' he told Allsports.com.gh exclusively.
Now 25 years old, Bukari is based in Romania with Astra where he has been plying his trade for the past two seasons having previously made his name at Etoile, the legendary Tunisian team with who he was a regular in their hugely successful CAF Champions' League and Confederations' Cup forays between 2007 and 2010.
Stints with Maccabi Haifa and Monastir, also in Tunisia's Ligue 1 have also come before he finally found home with Astra at the beginning of the 2012/13 season. The Ghanaian has since become a mainstay with the side his goals helped power to a second spot finish in the Romanian Liga I last term, on the back of which they are playing in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa League.
Playing in the same team as compatriot Seidu Yahaya, Sadat came on as a substitute in Astra's comprehensive 3-0 victory over Slovakia champions, Slovan Liberec on Thursday night ahead of next week's second leg as they also chase a spot in the final play-off round.
'We hope to go through but it's not over yet, yes we have a second leg tie on Thursday and we can't take anything for granted,' Sadat Bukari told Allsports.com.gh from his Romania base.