Auxerre’s campaign has been turbulent, laced with promise in moments and frustration in others, yet Owusu insists the story is still being written.
After last season’s relative stability and sharpness, this year has felt different. Auxerre have dropped crucial points late, struggled for consistency at home and found themselves scrapping in a dire relegation battle rather than building on last season’s promise.
The margins have been thin, and costly.
A season defined by fine margins
One match in particular captures the mood: the narrow defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Auxerre competed, pressed and matched the champions for long stretches, only to switch off late.
“I think it’s a lack of experience,” Owusu reflects in an exclusive interview facilitated by Ligue 1.
“We have a new group of players with a lot of young ones. The PSG game reflects our season; we play well, fight hard, and then in the last minute lose focus. Football is more than ninety minutes; you have to stay focused the whole time.”
That lack of ruthless concentration has haunted them. The performances have often been laced with intensity, shape, and courage in possession, but sustaining it for 90-plus minutes has proved elusive.
Yet against Toulouse, something shifted.
“First of all our mentality was amazing. Everybody was together. The coach showed us that we needed to do better, run more, win more duels, and be better with the ball,” he says.
“We went there with the mindset that we had nothing to lose. When you tell yourself that, you perform better because there’s no pressure or stress. Everybody did a great job.”
That result mattered beyond the table. It gave them the confidence and belief in the following game against fellow strugglers Metz as Auxerre won 3-1.
“In football it’s about confidence. When you perform well against a strong team and pick up a point, it gives you confidence and something to build on.”
Missing goals and lost momentum
Last season, Auxerre benefited from the clinical edge of two key attackers, Hamed Traore and Gaetan Perri,n who scored 10 league goals each and shouldered much of the scoring burden. Their departures left a void.
“Last season we lost two players who scored most of our goals, so yes, we lost important players. But this season, we still have players who can score. I think it’s about confidence. We create chances like last season, but we don’t finish them. It’s about belief and mindset.”
One subplot of the campaign was the brief loan spell of Ghanaian winger Ibrahim Osman. Arriving with excitement and energy, his stint was cut short in January when Brighton recalled him and sent him to Birmingham City instead.
“He is a top guy, always positive and hardworking. I thank him for what he did for us. Sometimes things don’t go as planned in football. He trained well and brought good energy to the dressing room. We wish him all the best.”
The numbers support him: chance creation has not dried up, but conversion has. Games that could have been comfortable wins have turned into nervy draws or late defeats. That shift has affected home form, once Auxerre’s fortress.
Les Bleus et Blancs picked up an impressive 27 points from 17 home games last season. However, this term they have the fourth-worst home record with 11 points from 11 games.
“Last year we had momentum at home; once you win a few games, you feel unbeatable. This season we’ve played well but dropped points late, so it’s not the same feeling. We’re fighting to get that confidence back.”
The playoff push and defining fixtures
Despite the setbacks, the objective remains clear for Auxerre, who currently occupy the relegation playoff spot with 17 points, five points from safety.
“Right now, the main goal is to reach the playoffs. We are aware of the situation and that we are fighting with other teams. We take it game by game.”
Upcoming fixtures, particularly against Rennes, carry extra weight.
“They are very important. In France, we say these are championship games. We know what is at stake, but we don’t want to put too much pressure on ourselves. We must perform, especially at home with our supporters behind us.”
Ghana, process and the World Cup dream
If club football is about survival and momentum, international football is about legacy. Owusu’s eyes light up when the conversation turns to Ghana and the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
“It would be an honour and a big blessing to play the World Cup for my country,” he says. “But I try not to think about it too much. For me life is about process. I take it day by day… and leave the rest to God.”
Ghana’s group featuring England, Croatia and Panama offers both challenge and opportunity.
“It’s a strong group. A really, really strong group. Croatia and England are big teams, and Panama also has quality. I like it because we will have big games.”
“Our main goal is to go far in the World Cup and to show the world that African football is feared. We won’t go there just to participate; we want to perform with all humility and show the world what Ghana can do.”
Weather conditions across American host cities could present heat and humidity similar to West Africa, something Owusu sees as a potential advantage, albeit cautiously.
“We are used to playing in such conditions in Ghana and Africa, so I think it could help us. But football is football, both teams will play under the same weather conditions.”
Preparation, too, will be key. Friendlies against Germany and Austria are tests Owusu relishes.
“It’s really good to face top teams. It shows us where we are and gives us a chance to compete at a high level. I really like that challenge.”
For now, though, Owusu’s focus remains grounded. “To stay in the league, give my best for my club and my country, and hopefully be part of the squad that goes to America. But I know it depends on my performances,” he says.
Auxerre’s season may have wobbled, but it is not lost. Ghana’s World Cup dream may be distant, but it is real.
Between the present struggle and future ambition stands a midfielder committed to both demonstrating quiet confidence that belief, once restored, can change everything.
