Akhmat forward Mohamed Konate spoke about the astonishment his family and friends felt when they first laid eyes on his wife, Christina.
“We tied the knot in Africa, in my village about four hours from Abidjan. It was only his second visit to the Ivory Coast, and the moment felt unreal. The whole community turned out to greet Christina, and the reaction was instant: ‘Wow, she’s white!’”
Konate recalls the day he told his parents about the plan to marry Christina. His father asked a simple but telling question, “Is he a believer?” His mother requested a photo, seeking a glimpse of the person who had won her child’s heart, a moment he shares with sports24.
The couple welcomed a daughter, Jasmine, in January of the current year, adding another bright chapter to their growing family.
Konate’s football journey started in Russia in 2016, when he joined Ural. After a return to the Russian Premier League in 2019, he spent time with Tambov and Khimki before moving to Akhmat Grozny in 2021, where he continued to build his reputation as a forward with a keen eye for goal.
In the current season, Konate has appeared in 19 Russian Premier League matches, scoring seven goals and providing one assist. In a recent clash with Lokomotiv, he faced a red card, a setback he acknowledged publicly as part of the game’s unpredictable nature.
Former Torch teammate Evgeniy Markov also spoke about the emotional toll of extended periods without a club, offering a candid reflection on the challenges athletes face when unemployed and the impact on personal lives.