Pape Aliya N’dao joined RSC Anderlecht in the summer of 2026. The Senegalese left winger arrived on loan from Ghanaian club Young African Promises. On the eve of the Premier League International Cup match against Ipswich Town, live on Mauve TV, we sat down with the Senegalese forward. He speaks for the first time about settling in at RSC Anderlecht, the experience he gained last season and his role within the RSCA Futures squad.

Hi Pape. Let’s go back to last season for a moment. How did you settle into the group?

"Very well, actually. The group welcomed me warmly, and I quickly felt at ease. That allowed me to focus on my responsibilities on the pitch, build up an understanding with my teammates and continue developing as a player."

A new country, a new club, a new adventure… How are you experiencing life in Belgium?

"I mainly see it as a great opportunity. It’s a new step in my career, with new challenges and a lot to learn. My goal is to make the most of this experience to improve as both a player and a person, become more mature and show what I’m capable of."

How were you welcomed by your teammates and the staff?

“Very well. Everyone made sure I felt comfortable from the very beginning. The staff help me improve, and my teammates also push me to give my best. Now it’s up to me to repay that trust on the pitch.”

What did you take away from your first season in the Challenger Pro League?

“I realised how demanding the level is and how much every detail matters. As a winger or forward, you have to be able to make a difference, but you also need to be efficient in the key moments. That experience has given me a better understanding of what is expected of me at professional level.”

What have you learned, both on and off the pitch?

“I’ve learned to be more patient and consistent, and to handle different match situations better. In attack, I always want to make a difference, but I’ve also come to understand the importance of working off the ball and contributing to the team as a whole. Off the pitch, I’ve learned that discipline and hard work every day really make a difference.”

This is already your second time taking part in the Premier League International Cup. You were also part of the squad last season. What has the competition taught you?

“It has allowed me to experience different styles of play and see where I stand against international opposition. For an attacking player, that’s interesting because you have to adapt to different opponents and find solutions to make a difference.”

With last season’s experience behind you, how are you approaching this new campaign?

“I learned a a lot last season. Now I can use that experience to help the group. I know the competition better, and I want to take on more responsibility, be more decisive and make a tangible contribution to the team.”

What does the Premier League International Cup mean to you and the group?

“It’s a great opportunity to test ourselves against international opposition and showcase our qualities. Personally, I want to use these matches to make a name for myself, improve and prove that I can make a difference at this level. As a team, it’s also an opportunity to build confidence and grow together.”

You’ve made a strong start to this campaign with a win against Crystal Palace. How can you build on that result for the matches ahead, particularly in the Challenger Pro League?

“The Premier League International Cup gives us the opportunity to showcase our qualities and build confidence. We picked up three points with a good win, and now we want to carry that momentum into the Challenger Pro League. But one win isn’t enough: we need to maintain the same hunger, intensity and mentality. We want to build on this result and show that we can perform well in both competitions.”

In your opinion, what are the main differences between the Premier League International Cup and the Challenger Pro League?

“In the Challenger Pro League, you come up against players who sometimes have much more experience. That means you have to be very smart with your positioning and decision-making. In the Premier League International Cup, you face players your own age who often have a lot of technical ability and play at a high tempo. They’re two different competitions that complement each other and help you develop in different ways.”

What changes when you come up against older, more experienced players?

“You have less time and space to make a difference. As a forward, you have to choose your moments more carefully, be more effective in one-on-one situations and make decisions more quickly. Those are exactly the kinds of challenges that help me improve.”

This is your second season with the Futures. Do you feel you need to take on more responsibility?

“Yes, definitely. It’s my second season, so I know the environment better and have more confidence. I want to take the next step, be more influential in key moments and help the team with my attacking qualities. I know I can contribute more, and it’s up to me to show that on the pitch.”

Has your role within the team changed since last season?

“Yes, I think I’ve grown in confidence and have a better understanding of what the group expects. Now I want to perform more consistently and take on greater responsibility. I don’t just want to play well; I also want to have a real impact on the team’s results.”

What are your personal ambitions for this season?

“I want to take the next step in my career. As an attacking player, I want to be more decisive, whether through goals, assists or actions that help the team make the difference. I also want to become more consistent and show that I can deliver when it matters most.”

And collectively? What are the group’s objectives?

“We want to be competitive in every competition and pick up as many points as possible. There’s a lot of quality in the group, but quality alone isn’t enough. We also need to work hard, perform consistently and always stand together as a team. If we maintain that mentality, we can achieve great things together.”