Please tell us a little about your background and how you got to the Qatar Stars League. Who guided you and supported you as a youngster?
“I would say my father was and still is part of the reason I became a footballer, he was the captain of the Ghana national team and he won the African Cup of Nations in 1978. His name is Emanuel Awuley Quaye and he was the captain for over six years.

To be honest he encouraged my whole family to engage with sports and football in particular. My brother and my two sisters plus myself are all mad about the game. My big sister played for Ghana Black Queens, my big brother played in Malaga for five years as well as Egypt and Tunisia. So we are a very sporty family.

I started out playing for the Liberty Academy in Ghana then I progressed to the Liberty first team that played in the Ghanaian Premiership and from there I went into the Ghana national youth team (Under 17s). I was the captain and played alongside players such as Sulley Muntari and others until the Under 20s.

My first trip abroad was to Germany, I was at 1860 Munich and trained with some great players such as Davor Šuker but at the time in Germany there was a rule that didn’t allow clubs to sign players who were under 18 as professionals, so instead I went to Saint-Étienne in France and they signed me. I was part of a team that helped the club gain promotion back to the top division of France, I played most of the games and it was a dream to get such a big club back to the top league in Fance once again.”

So how did you end up in the Qatar Stars League?
“Well after such a successful spell in France and seeing as I was getting plenty of games, I very quickly drew the attention of many European clubs. I decided to sign a contract with Saint-Étienne and I was happy to be in Ligue 1 finally; they gave me a three year contract. As an 18 year old, I was very happy at that point but then things got complicated.

I was on summer vacation and looking forward to my first season in Ligue 1 but then I was told that the coach who secured our promotion was being let go by the club and that a new manager would replace him. The problem was the new coach demanded that he bring his three foreign players with him and so that didn’t bode well for me. The club wanted to keep me and put me out on loan to a second division side and I wasn’t interested in that proposal, after all I helped get them promoted.

So at the time I was being contacted by an agent in Qatar and my main focus was that I wanted to play in a top division somewhere. So initially I was thinking of coming to Qatar for one or two seasons and then if things don’t work out, I could always go back to Europe.

But after six months the Gharafa management saw my performances and didn’t want me to leave, I really had to give it some thought, they proposed a 4 year deal that was very attractive to me and so I spoke with my family. The contract provided stability and that was good for my family. At the same time there was many clubs back in Europe who had kept an eye on me but in the end I saw the potential of the Qatari league and the great players that were coming to the country and so I decided to stay and I have never regretted it.”

So you have been here now for over ten years, this is your 11th season I believe, how has the league improved over the years?
“I just can’t believe how quickly the years have flown by; this is now my 11th season and so I am now one of the longest serving players in the Qatar Stars League.

You know, when I first came the league format was played in three sections plus some tournaments so we literally played and played against each other 3 times. There were a lot fewer teams back then. Also back then, clubs were allowed 6 foreign players and so that is when a lot of the big name foreigners first started to come into the league.

A lot has changed so many things, the tempo, the coaches, the tactical awareness, the professionalism. Now there are some really great local players starting to come into the league. Even the national teams are much better now. I can feel the league improving year by year; I see the difference on the pitch!”

OK let’s focus on your personal game, how have you improved and evolved as you have gotten older?
“I would say that I am tactically more aware nowadays, so for example I know that if the ball starts from up here, then I know where it will possibly end so I know where to be on the pitch so that I can receive it again. The longer a player is playing football over the years, the more he develops and can read the game easier.”

Fans still speak about how good Gharafa was during your glory days, and everyone always spoke about you and Othman El Assas, can you talk about your relationship on the pitch.
“Honestly I would say he was one of the best midfield players I have played with, he was incredible. He was very tactically aware, a quick thinker but also had an abundance of energy. He never seemed flustered if he was alone in the middle, he preferred playing deeper, receiving the ball and distributing the first ball.

This permitted me to push up and play as a more attacking midfielder; we had a very good understanding. He always was able to find me and vice versa. We played for 8 years together and we trained every day. We were like brothers, when he was around I scored a lot. Now it’s different, I am now the one playing in the deeper role and so I cannot get forward like before and score as much as I would like to. But it’s for the greater good of the team so I am willing to do this. My role has changed now, just like Gerrard’s at Liverpool, he had to adapt to the game as he has got older and he doesn’t score as much as he used to, now I too am doing the same kind of thing.”

Paqueta is back for a second spell and already Gharafa is starting to look stronger, what did he say to the players and do you think you can finish in the top four this season?
“Since coming back I think he has boosted our confidence because we know what he can do and we trust him. Psychologically he has made us feel like our old selves again which is great. He wants his players to do what they know best, he doesn’t demand more than is realistic. This really takes the pressure off the players and allows them to concentrate on their roles.

Personally I think we can do well and perhaps finish fourth or even higher but there are many factors in football and also it is a long season, so if we are injury free, then I think we can do well. Since Paqueta came back he insisted that we redeem Gharafa’s image and he is right, we have to put Gharafa back where it belongs.”