Here is an excerpt of the interview:

Offsideplus: You have played for Guinea U-20 and U-23. And now you have been invited to the senior national team for the first time. How do you feel about it?

Mamadou Kane: It was a dream for me, now it is a reality. It is a good thing for me and my family because, after some years, I can play for my country again. Even if I played for the U-20 and U-23 as captain, today I am with the senior team and I thank God. It is also about hard work because if you work hard, one day it will pay-off. I am very happy to defend the colours of my country.

Offsideplus: After the first round of the 2020-21 Azerbaijan Premier League, what can you say about Neftchi’s performance and what can the team do to improve?

Mamadou Kane: Our performance has been positive. It is just the first round and we will keep on working hard to get to the first position. In our team, we are mentally and physically ready to play and we want to be champions. We have to work hard to achieve this.

Offsideplus: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans are not allowed to watch games. What change? Did the lack of fans affect your games?

Mamadou Kane: Playing without the support of the fans is complicated. As a footballer, you need support, but because of the pandemic around the world fans can’t come to the stadium and it is not easy for footballers. The most important thing is to pray that the pandemic goes away, but playing without fans is not easy. However, everything is about mentality. As a footballer, you have to motivate yourself and try to win. Anywhere the fans are, they will be happy.

Offsideplus: After the last session, you could not travel to see your family and you did not have a good vacation, but you are still playing well and you are very fit. What is the secret?

Mamadou Kane: There is no secret and I am a professional on the pitch and off the pitch. It is true, I could not travel to see my family and football is like that sometimes so I have to be a professional. I decided to remain focused and work hard to be fit. The most important thing for me is to work hard and if God gives me a long life, I will see my family often and I will have many vacations.

Offsideplus: On your Social media post, you always support Azerbaijan in every situation. Especially in these periods, you pray for Azerbaijanis because of the war. What is special about Azerbaijan for you?

Mamadou Kane: I am in the country and currently they are fighting for their lands, so we have to support them. Azerbaijan is a hospitable country that welcomes every foreigner and as a foreign footballer, I pray for them and their families. May God also protect the Azerbaijan Army.

Offsideplus: In your national team, you will play with famous players like Naby Keita, Florentin Pogba, etc. How does it make you feel?

Mamadou Kane: I feel proud to play with such stars. It is special for me because I also have the chance to wear the national colour and defend my country's honour.

Offsideplus: What do you hope to achieve with the national team?

Mamadou Kane: My dream is to win trophies with my national team. Maybe the African Cup of Nations or a bigger trophy. I am happy the coaches and my country have confidence in me and I will work hard to win trophies with my country.