Gambian international Ola Buwaro was unveiled by Russian Women Football Championship side WFC Lokomotiv Moscow after penning a two-year contract.
Buwaro left China after one season where she scored 19 goals in 20 matches as Guangxi Pingguo Beinong finished fourth on the log. Personally, she also finished as the runner-up in the Golden Boot race.
“My target is to be part of the starting XI in every game; that’s where I can be scouted easily and go to the next level. It’s a gateway. I am not a professional, although this is my second contract abroad, but I am still climbing the ladder. They have been finishing in third place of late; two teams have been superior. I want to take them out of this third position, and if it’s a striker that was the problem, I hope I can help them beat Zenit Saint Petersburg and Cska Moscow to the title.” Buwaro stressed.
Ola, who attracted interest from France, China, and Belarus, says her stay in China had a professional impact and mentality.
“It wasn’t easy in China; the style of play in China and the Gambia differs a lot; it was fast and intense. We play twice a week in China, every three days. The communication was a hindrance, but I believe football has one language: as far as you position yourself, the players will see you. The training session was very hard, but it has helped me a lot.”
Before Ola signed, Catharine Jatta sealed a permanent move to Determine Girls FC, and Ellen Gai signed for Ghana-based club Lady Strikers, a move that Ola calls the right direction for women’s football in the Gambia.
“I was so happy. Gambian women’s football is very low-ranked, and when we travel abroad, they mistake us for Zambians. They know about Zambia but not about the Gambia. With the number of people who have been playing abroad, I am hoping we have more numbers to go abroad. If the exposure is big, the national side will change because it will help us find out that we have gathered lots of experience. I believe with the national team, the experience is lacking. Though he has talented players who are quick and can score, he has no experience. Senegal has that edge over us.” She added
