Ghana winger; Kamaldeen Sulemana credits Russell Martin for shaping his career

Photo Credit – Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Ghana international, Kamaldeen Sulemana has credited former Southampton manager, Russell Martin for shaping his mindset despite struggling under the tutelage of the Englishman.

The sharp winger had limited playing time under Martin after grappling with injuries, regardless of this, he barely had any game time. Despite these struggles, the Right to Dream Academy product believes the experience made him mentally tougher.

“He shaped my mentality because when I wasn’t playing, I had to be a different kind of player, work 200 per cent, do more,” Sulemana told the Daily Echo. “I had to always try my best to do double in order to maybe get the chance to play, so I think he’s made me the way stronger mentality-wise.

“It’s not about mourning when things go wrong because obviously if I was mourning, I would have mourned for the whole season, that would be tiring.”

Martin, whose service was dispensed earlier in the season due to Southampton’s poor form, was replaced by Ivan Juric. This season, Sulemana has appeared in 21 matches across all competitions, contributing two goals and two assists.

He was a member of Ghana’s squad that won two consecutive matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers where they beat Chad 5-0 in Accra and a 3-0 victory against Madagascar in Morocco.