– It seemed much more fun to go here than to other places I received offers from, he says. Last Monday it became clear that Mushaga Bakenga signed for the Indian top league club Punjab FC. – Here I get to experience something new that I would never have experienced otherwise, says the 32-year-old. Bakenga is in place in Punjab. Last season, the club finished eighth in the Indian series. Photo: Screenshot Instagram 8 August 2024 An adventure Many footballers rake in large sums during their lives as professionals abroad. Bakenga says there were other reasons why the choice now fell on Indian top football. – I am an adventurer. I want to use the years I have left to experience things. Since the Trønder broke through for Rosenborg in 2009, he has played for clubs in Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Japan and Cyprus. After only six chaotic months in Cypriot Apollon Limassol, the trip now goes to Punjab FC in the far north of India. He tells of intense heat at the first training session he took part in for the club. – The humidity and the heat are intense. It is completely extreme, says Bakenga. Earlier this week, Bakenga was presented as a Punjab FC player on the club’s Instagram account. Photo: Instagram/Punjab FC – We had a very calm session, but I lost four kilos in 50 minutes, even though I drank water the whole way. – The heat is extreme, but you probably get wet with it. Feels welcome The striker says that both the players, the coach and staff at the club were well prepared when he arrived. – They have googled themselves and found out a lot about me as a person. Bakenga appreciated that they were interested in more than just how he is on the football pitch. “Mush” has played for many clubs. Among others, Stabæk. Photo: NTB – They knew more about me as a person than as a player, I’m weak for such things. Then it becomes so much easier to join something. – Among other things, I was asked what “Trønder of the year” is for. Last year, Mushaga Bakenga was named “Trønder of the year”. The rating is a collaboration between news Trøndelag and Adresseavisen. Language barrier At the same time, Bakenga says that the transition to a completely new country and a new culture requires adjustment. – I told my teammates that I am looking forward to learning a little Indian. Then they just started laughing. – “There is no such thing as Indian”, they laughed. Bakenga says that India has over 200 languages. On the team alone, they have 17 different languages, where several of the teammates do not understand each other at all, he says. Thus, he only has to choose a language and start learning. – I’ll take the easiest, then we’ll take it from there. Many different reasons to play football news’s football expert Kristoffer Løkberg believes there are more people than Bakenga who dream of adventure. – There are probably more people than you think who think about it, but who would rather know and love in Norway or Scandinavia, says Løkberg. He believes that the choice of club is always made based on several different considerations. – There is probably a trade-off between the sporting aspect, the financial aspect and things like the cultural aspect or adventure in it. – Football players are different. There are different things that inspire and motivate each individual, says football expert Kristoffer Løkberg. He is confident that Bakenga has landed on what gave him the best overall package. – In a football wardrobe you will find a thousand different reasons why one plays football. The fact that “Mush” has become a club nomad, he believes, has both positive and negative sides. – He has a lot of experience and experiences from different dressing rooms, clubs and countries. At the same time, he believes that being in a club for a longer period of time and building something up gives a different type of experience. – There are advantages and disadvantages to both parts. There, soccer players are different. Listen to the entire interview with Mushaga Bakenga here: Published 14.08.2024, at 05.05
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His 14th club in 15 years as a football player – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
