RACE FOR PROMOTION UNDER STARTER'S ORDERS
STEP 3 PLAY- OFFS
WHEN Mo Faal came back to Enfield Town last summer he had a burning desire to remind everyone what he's all about.
His first spell at the Isthmian Premier club brought an impressive 24 goals in 25 games and led to a move into the Football League with Bolton Wanderers in January 2020.
But it didn't pan out as hoped and, following a loan spell with Barnet, he found himself out of contract last May. But the 24-year-old's season serves as a reminder that disappointment doesn't have to define you.
He's bounced back in some style, his goal against Potters Bar on Monday his 41st in all competitions.
“In the summer I was anxious about coming back because you never know what people might think, you never know what the reaction will be,” Faal, who scored 11 in January alone and is neck-and-neck with Marske United's Adam Boyes for the most goals at Steps 1-4 this season, tells The NLP.
“But I took advice from my father. He told me to be headstrong, go back, be humble and start again. It wasn't easy for me since I made the move.
“But me coming back, I thank him for telling me to because it's been a great decision. I am enjoying my football. I love it again.
Desire
“I feel like everybody goes through hard There are always ups and downs in a footballer's career.
“But what defines somebody is how they respond to a disappointment. I feel I have responded well. I feel I have shown great mental strength to go again and show people what I can do.
SEMI-FINALS
Wednesday, April 27
Bishop's Stortford v Cheshunt Enfield Town v Hornchurch
FINAL
Monday, May 2
TBC V TBC
“I'm not someone who will give up after disappointment. I am someone who will continue to fight until I get to where I want to. I put that down to sheer desire and belief – God and religion also plays a big part in that.”
Faal says his faith allowed him to draw great strength when he was experiencing tough times. He is currently observing Ramadan, a time for reflection and gratitude.
“Ramadan is a time that I simplify my life,” Faal says. “It's a time I read Quran, get closer to God – my good habits, my bad habits, where I can improve and think about those who don't have.
“This time of the year brings gratitude to your heart and makes you appreciate the things you do have in your life.
“This time is really important to me and puts into perspective how I'd like to live my life and the blessings God has given me.
“When you take care of your spiritual life, I believe, everything else that happens around you.”
And Faal believes a number of Muslim sports stars are breaking misconceptions about performing at a high level while fasting between dawn and sunset.
“When I was young and fasting, not a lot of people understood what was going on or they weren't too aware,” Faal says. “But the representation from people like Mo Salah, Sadio Mane,
I feel that opens eyes. It's a great thing.
Rewards
“It also makes me feel like I can be myself. The people at Enfield have been helping me a lot with fasting and, when we train, having little snacks to break my fast – just looking after me and showing a genuine interest in what I am doing.”
Enfield have been consistently in the promotion mix all season, with Worthing eventually running off with the title.
On Wednesday they will take on Hornchurch at home in the Isthmian Premier play-offs for only the second time in club history.
While Faal has been a key part of their success, he lays the credit with his teammates.
“This group of boys have got good character as well as being good footballers,” the former Dulwich Hamlet and Kingstonian striker says. “When you've got the two it makes for a good dressing room and a good team. There's been times when we've conceded first, been down in games, and we've come back to beat teams. Then there's been many times where we've been ahead and held on.
“That just shows the type of players we have – we have players who want to win and achieve things. We're in the play-offs now and we will try to do our all.”
Faal also highlights the impact of fellow forwards Adam Cunnington, Lyle Della-Verde and Jake Cass – “in my own personal opinion it is the best forward line in the league” – but he is also rightly proud of his own performances.
He's been reaping the rewards of early mornings training and it's no secret to say he wants to play at the highest level he can.
That, he acknowledges, is out of his control and, anyway, he's fully focused on the tough challenge ahead in the play-offs.
“I know the boys are relishing the play-off game and everybody wants to be involved,” he says.
“I am excited, I can't wait to step out there. This will be the second play-off game I've been involved in –I was on the bench at Dulwich – but this will be the first I hopefully play in. I can't stop thinking about it. We will come as one and give it our best shot.”
