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Pape Meïssa Ba: I feel ready to help the team right away
January signing Pape Meïssa Ba scored his first goal for the club on Sunday (16/2) against Karlsruher SC, grabbing the winner right in front of the Nordkurve in the first half. The forward immediately showed his eye for goal on his first start at the VELTINS-Arena, demonstrating why the Royal Blues brought him to Gelsenkirchen.
The Senegalese striker was lurking at the back post from Paul Seguin’s corner in the 34th minute, away from the main bunch of players. After Nicolai Rapp failed to properly clear the cross and the ball pinged off Marcin Kaminski and ended up in the six-yard box, Ba was in exactly the right position. The attacker clinically took the opportunity and gave Schalke a 2-1 lead.
Ba’s strike was not only the winning goal on Sunday, but also his first in Schalke colours. “It was obviously a special feeling,” said the 27-year-old, who was particularly pleased that his maiden goal came at the VELTINS-Arena. Ultimately though, the Knappen getting back to winning ways was more important for him.
I’ll reveal what it’s about at the end of the season
The former Grenoble Foot player immediately turned to the Nordkurve and then tapped his left hand with his right index finger, possibly trying to symbolise a ticking clock. Ba also brought out this celebration for his 10 goals in Ligue 2 earlier this season, but the striker wants to keep fans guessing about its meaning: “I’ll reveal what it’s about at the end of the season,” he said with a smile on his face.
Until then, Ba wants to contribute to “the team having success.” That includes moments like his winning goal against KSC, and he recognises that he doesn’t have to be playing a huge role in the game to really affect it. “Kenan likes to be on the ball and distribute it – I’m then looking to be in the right places to score.”
Hopefully this partnership can really start to flourish in the coming weeks, particularly in the absence of the injured Moussa Sylla. “I feel ready to help the team right away. That was my aim after moving to Germany,” stressed Ba, who also felt it was important that he joined a team in good shape. “I was given a real warm welcome by the lads.”
