His journey had been one of resilience—rising through the ranks from a struggling colt’s club to donning the jersey of Medeama SC, and then earning a place in Ghana’s AFCON 2023 squad. It was a dream many aspired to, yet it was also a reality that weighed heavily on his shoulders.

“The work that we do isn’t about just the work,” he had once told a journalist. “We are working to earn something, and the external family all depend on us.”

That was the truth many fans didn’t fully grasp. To the world, football is a passion, a sport that brought joy. But for the players, especially those who came from backgrounds like his, it was more than just a game—it is survival.

Like many of his teammates, Hamidu have seen the struggle firsthand. Teammates who had played their hearts out for local clubs like Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, and Medeama, yet still found themselves battling unpaid wages, poor infrastructure, and uncertain futures. There are countless stories of players who had given their all to the domestic league, only to retire with nothing to show for it.

“I love Ghana football,” Hamidu admitted. “We all do. We want to play for our people, feel the love from the stands, and make the league strong. But the situations we find ourselves in are the more reason we always want to play outside.”

There was a stark difference between playing in Ghana and moving abroad. In foreign leagues, even in smaller divisions, players were assured of better pay, professional contracts, and stability for their families. He had seen friends who left for lower-tier leagues in Europe or Asia, yet were able to build houses, support their parents, and secure their futures.

Here at home, he knew players who had gone months without salaries, who had to rely on bonuses that never came on time. The expectations from family didn’t lessen just because things were hard. If anything, they increased. In Ghana, when you make it to the top level, you aren’t just playing for yourself—you are playing for your siblings’ school fees, your mother’s medical bills, and your community’s hopes.

So, when an opportunity appears, even if it wasn’t the biggest club in Europe, you had to take it.

One thought echoed in his mind: If the opportunity comes, you need to go and get something.