Ghanaian Players Abroad: Weekend Wrap of Performances
Ghanaian footballers across the globe were in action over the weekend, with several making telling contributions for their respective clubs. From England to the United States, Black Stars players and prospects showed flashes of brilliance and promise.
In England
Antoine Semenyo continued his fine early-season form in the Premier League, grabbing a goal and an assist to inspire AFC Bournemouth’s 2-1 home win over Brighton and Hove Albion.
At the London Stadium, Mohammed Kudus returned to familiar territory but this time in Tottenham Hotspur colours. The Ghanaian midfielder impressed as Spurs ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against West Ham United.
In the Championship, Jordan Ayew finally opened his goal account for Leicester City, netting in their 2-2 draw against Oxford United.
His compatriot Abdul Fatawu Issahaku also shone, providing the assist for Leicester’s equalizer in that clash.
Brandon Thomas-Asante was introduced as a second-half substitute for Coventry City, who drew 1-1 with Norwich City.
In Denmark
Teen sensation Prince Amoako stole the headlines as his solitary strike sealed a 1-0 victory for Nordsjaelland over Midtjylland in the Danish Superliga.
Caleb Yirenkyi played the full 90 minutes in the same fixture, while Issaka Seidu and Stephen Acquah made late cameo appearances.
In Germany
Christopher Antwi-Adjei featured off the bench for Schalke 04 but could not prevent them from slipping to a 1-0 loss against Holstein Kiel in Bundesliga 2.
In the Bundesliga, Ransford Yeboah Königsdörffer was involved for Hamburg SV, though his side were soundly beaten 5-0 by champions Bayern Munich.
In Spain
Thomas Partey made his first start for Villarreal in La Liga, but it ended in disappointment as they lost 2-0 to Atletico Madrid.
Kwasi Sibo remained an unused substitute in Real Oviedo’s 2-0 defeat to Getafe.
In Italy
Kamaldeen Sulemana featured for 75 minutes as Atalanta Bergamo brushed aside Lecce 4-1 in Serie A.
However, his compatriot Sulemana Ibrahim missed the clash through injury.
In France
Francis Abu played 72 minutes for Toulouse, who were edged 2-1 by Lille.
Alidu Seidu came off the bench to help Rennes seal a 3-1 comeback victory over Olympique Lyon.
At OGC Nice, Kwadwo Peprah stood tall at the back in their narrow 1-0 win over Nantes, while Salis Abdul Samed was an unused substitute.
Gideon Mensah and Elisha Owusu both featured for Auxerre, with Ibrahim Osman coming off the bench, but their efforts were not enough in a 2-1 defeat to AS Monaco. Mohammed Salisu made his first appearance of the season for Monaco in that victory.
Terry Yegbe and Koffi Kouao were both at the heart of defense for Metz and impressed, but conceded a late equalizer to Angers to draw 1-1 in the Ligue 1.
In Belgium
Lawrence Agyekum was in action for Cercle Brugge, though they suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Charleroi in the Jupiler Pro League.
In Greece
Baba Rahman continued his strong run of form for PAOK Thessaloniki, providing an assist in their 2-1 away victory at OFI Crete.
In Ireland
Joseph Anang stood between the sticks for St. Patrick’s Athletic, helping his side secure a 3-1 win and progress to the Irish FA Cup semi-finals.
In the Netherlands
Sadiq Ibrahim came off the bench for AZ Alkmaar in their 2-1 win over Heracles Almelo in the Eredivisie.
In Russia
Alexander Djiku made his debut for Spartak Moscow, playing in their 2-2 draw with Dynamo Moscow in the Russian Premier League.
In Sweden
Frank Junior Adjei lasted 65 minutes for Hammarby in an entertaining 3-3 draw with Djurgården in the Allsvenskan.
In Switzerland
Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi was outstanding for St. Gallen, producing five crucial saves to preserve a 1-0 win over Lugano in the Swiss Super League.
In Turkey
Jerome Opoku featured for Istanbul Basaksehir in their 2-1 defeat to Besiktas. Nicholas Opoku impressed for Kasimpasa, helping them to a clean sheet in their 1-0 away victory over Karagumruk.
In the Turkish second tier, Felix Ohene Afena-Gyan played over half an hour for Amedspor, contributing to their 2-1 win as they push for promotion.
In the United States
Osman Bukari started for Austin FC but could not inspire them as they fell 2-0 to FC Dallas. Lalas Aboubakar came on as a late substitute for Dallas in the same match.
Elsewhere, Joseph Paintsil played a vital role for LA Galaxy, helping them recover from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against Seattle Sounders in Major League Soccer.
