Before heading to Africa for international duty, Amad sat down to discuss his 2022-23 campaign so far.
The young Ivorian, on loan from Manchester United, has enjoyed a fruitful season on Wearside in which he has so far scored nine goals in 32 games.
“I’ve found it very enjoyable here. Results lately haven’t quite been as good as what we’d hoped, but we’re looking to finish the season strongly,” Amad told MUTV.
“It’s a difficult season, but I believe we have the players on the pitch to make the difference and help us a lot. When I play with players like Patrick Roberts, for example, I see the quality he and other teammates bring.
“I want to repay the confidence shown in me by the gaffer, my teammates and the fans. It’s a demanding season physically, with a lot of games as well as the internationals for quite a few of us, but we’re still looking to achieve well.”
The forward elaborated on the tough battles at Sky Bet Championship level, and said that the demanding run of games often throws up different tests in terms of physical or technical challenges.
“We’ve faced many teams in the Championship who bring different tests to us. Some are physical, some are fast and look to play through. Physicality is spoken about a lot in English football – sometimes it’s very important in games, and in other games it’s more about technical ability.
“Your confidence increases as a young player when you start seeing results on the pitch. I didn’t play too much when I first came, but I grew into the team and have really enjoyed starting a lot of games.
“Of course, I always watch Manchester United when Sunderland aren’t playing, and I also want them to see when I am playing well.”
Finally, Amad noted both his personal and collective short-term ambitions, and claims ‘nothing is impossible’ with eight league games to play.
“This club is huge in terms of its history, and I still want to be part of something special here.
“I feel I have matured a lot as a player during my time at Sunderland so far, and this will benefit me a lot moving forward and hopefully benefit the team. This is probably what I would call my most enjoyable and best season so far as a senior player.
“I set myself a target of 10 goals this season – I currently have nine – and although it will be difficult, we still want to take this club to the Premier League. Nothing is impossible in football.”