Abdul Fatawu Issahaku says criticism from teammates and fans will not stop him from taking long-range shots. The Leicester City forward says the choice comes from self-belief, not outside noise, and that is the same mindset behind one of the most visible parts of his game.
“I know I have power, so I think it's just the confidence I give to myself, and I don't care about what people say,” he told the GFA. The 22-year-old said that when he does not connect, the reaction inside the group can be blunt, but the response has not changed his approach.
Abdul Fatawu and the long shot
Fatawu has built a reputation for testing goalkeepers from distance with fierce strikes. That makes every attempt a decision point: take the shot and risk losing the ball, or pass up a chance to use a part of his game that he believes can hurt opponents.
He said the criticism usually comes fast when the effort fails. “Sometimes I get bullied by teammates or someone if I try to do it and it's not working,” he said. “Everyone will be shouting, 'Why did you do that? You just lost the ball for nothing.'”
Even with that reaction, he said he keeps the same edge in front of goal. He said he knows he can do it, and that certainty is what keeps him trying from range whenever the opening appears.
Leicester City and the Black Stars
The shot selection matters because it sits at the center of how he is judged at Leicester City and with the Black Stars. He described that part of his game as one of the most exciting in his arsenal, which means the debate around it is not just about missed chances but about how much risk he is willing to carry in order to create a reward.
The story also reaches beyond the pitch. Fatawu said he is a proud “mummy's boy,” speaks to his mother before and after every match, and hears her analyze his performances. “My mum always feels happy, and I feel even happier making her happy,” he said, jokingly calling her “the coach.”
For now, his answer to criticism is simple: he will keep shooting when he sees the chance. The next time the ball drops to him from distance, the reaction around him may change, but his decision-making will not.
