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Ajak Riak: «Ready to develop and win with the team»
South Sudan, Kenya and Australia, our team's newly minted striker Ajak Riak, explained what he has in common with the three countries:
- Ajak, how do you feel as a new player of FC Sheriff?
- I am glad to join such a big club. I liked everything here very much. Sheriff has a high UEFA rating, which allows the team to play in the most prestigious European tournaments. I found out about the club after a sensational performance in the Champions League. I watched the match at the Santiago Bernabeu, and was extremely surprised how such a small club could beat such a European giant?
- South Sudan, Kenya and Australia, how do these countries relate to you?
- My parents are from South Sudan, when war broke out in the country we ended up in Kenya and then moved to Australia. I have been playing soccer since I was a kid. I started in a refugee camp in Kenya, then at school in Australia. Then came the professional clubs in Australia and Indonesia. Soccer is everything to me. This sport has taught me to take life more seriously, to give myself fully and be disciplined. And, of course, it is my only income to feed my big family.
- Tell us about playing for the South Sudan national team? So there are two Sudanese national teams?
- That's right, there is Sudan national team and there is South Sudan national team I play for.
- Which national team is stronger?
- Well, Sudan as a country exists more, so there is a certain soccer history. Just a couple of days ago there was a game within the qualification for the World Cup 2026. We lost 3-0. However, I (smiles) and a few other players who could have helped the team were not in my national team (smiles).
- What about European soccer? New experience, new heights...
- I am looking forward to the beginning of this story. I really want to show myself in games with big teams. FC Sheriff has quite a rich history of performance in European cups, so it is important for me to join this success in the international arena. There is a difficult challenge ahead, but I am ready to develop and win together with the team.
FC «Sheriff» press service
- Ajak, how do you feel as a new player of FC Sheriff?
- I am glad to join such a big club. I liked everything here very much. Sheriff has a high UEFA rating, which allows the team to play in the most prestigious European tournaments. I found out about the club after a sensational performance in the Champions League. I watched the match at the Santiago Bernabeu, and was extremely surprised how such a small club could beat such a European giant?
- South Sudan, Kenya and Australia, how do these countries relate to you?
- My parents are from South Sudan, when war broke out in the country we ended up in Kenya and then moved to Australia. I have been playing soccer since I was a kid. I started in a refugee camp in Kenya, then at school in Australia. Then came the professional clubs in Australia and Indonesia. Soccer is everything to me. This sport has taught me to take life more seriously, to give myself fully and be disciplined. And, of course, it is my only income to feed my big family.
- Tell us about playing for the South Sudan national team? So there are two Sudanese national teams?
- That's right, there is Sudan national team and there is South Sudan national team I play for.
- Which national team is stronger?
- Well, Sudan as a country exists more, so there is a certain soccer history. Just a couple of days ago there was a game within the qualification for the World Cup 2026. We lost 3-0. However, I (smiles) and a few other players who could have helped the team were not in my national team (smiles).
- What about European soccer? New experience, new heights...
- I am looking forward to the beginning of this story. I really want to show myself in games with big teams. FC Sheriff has quite a rich history of performance in European cups, so it is important for me to join this success in the international arena. There is a difficult challenge ahead, but I am ready to develop and win together with the team.
FC «Sheriff» press service
