Ghanaian Players Abroad Wrap-Up: Semenyo Shines in England, Sulemana Scores in Italy
Ghanaian footballers across Europe and beyond were in action over the weekend, delivering a mix of goals, assists, and solid defensive shifts. Here’s a country-by-country breakdown of how some selected stars fared abroad over the weekend.
ENGLAND
Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)
Semenyo continued his impressive run in England, starting his fifth consecutive game for Manchester City and playing the full 90 minutes in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Ghanaian attacker found the net once again, scoring his fourth City goal and twelveth league goal of the season, underlining his importance in City’s attack.
Leicester City Duo
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku played the entire game as Leicester City suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Charlton Athletic in the Championship.
He registered one interception but struggled in attack, completing just 22% of his dribbles (2/9).
Jordan Ayew featured for 77 minutes in the same match. It was a mixed outing for the forward, who missed a penalty but still posted a 100% tackle success rate (1/1).
Osman Ibrahim (Birmingham City)
Osman made his second Championship appearance for Birmingham City and was influential in their 2-0 win over Oxford United.
He played 87 minutes and impressed on the wing, completing 5 successful dribbles from the 8 he attempted.
FRANCE
Auxerre Pair
Gideon Mensah played 86 minutes in Auxerre’s goalless draw with Toulouse, creating one big chance, making three clearances, one interception, and maintaining a 100% tackle success rate.
Elisha Owusu also featured prominently, playing 80 minutes, with three interceptions, two clearances, and again a perfect tackle record (1/1).
Terry Yegbe (Metz)
Yegbe started his third consecutive Ligue 1 match, playing the full 90 minutes against Angers. Despite Metz’s 1-0 loss, he delivered a strong defensive display with eight clearances and two interceptions.
Nathaniel Adjei (Lorient)
Adjei came on late, featuring for the final 15 minutes as Lorient secured a 2-1 victory over Nantes.
Samed Abdul Salis (OGC Nice)
Salis started for Nice but was withdrawn at halftime in a 2-2 home draw against Brest.
SPAIN
Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo)
Sibo was named in the starting XI for Real Oviedo and played 70 minutes as they edged Girona 1-0 in La Liga, contributing to a disciplined midfield performance.
ITALY
Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari)
Sulemana made a decisive impact off the bench. Introduced in the 64th minute, the midfielder scored Cagliari’s third goal in a dominant 4-0 win over Hellas Verona, continuing his strong return to action.
Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta)
Kamaldeen was introduced early in the first half as Atalanta drew 0-0 with Como. He completed 60% of his dribbles (3/5) and contributed defensively with one tackle, two interceptions, and three clearances.
GERMANY
Derrick Kohn (Union Berlin)
Kohn came on in the 54th minute as Union Berlin fell to a 3-1 away defeat against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.
Ransford Königsdörffer (Hamburg SV)
Königsdörffer started and played 73 minutes in a high-profile 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich, holding his own against elite opposition.
TURKEY
Nicholas Opoku (Kasimpasa)
Opoku played the full match for Kasimpasa in a narrow 1-0 home defeat to Samsunspor. He was solid at the back, recording six clearances and one blocked shot.
Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir)
Jerome Opoku also completed 90 minutes, helping Basaksehir secure a 2-2 draw with Rizespor, contributing six clearances.
Felix Afena-Gyan (Amedspor)
Afena-Gyan enjoyed a standout cameo, playing 30 minutes in a sensational 7-0 win over Adana Demirspor.
He created two big chances and provided two assists, lighting up the game off the bench.
BELGIUM
Jerry Afriyie (RAAL La Louvière)
Afriyie played the full 90 minutes as RAAL La Louvière held Gent to a 1-1 draw in the Jupiler Pro League.
Joseph Opoku (Waregem)
Joseph Opoku started but was substituted after 58 minutes as Waregem lost 1-0 to Westerlo.
SAUDI ARABIA
Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah)
Baah completed the full match and helped Al Qadsiah earn a credible 2-2 draw against Al Hilal in the Saudi Professional League.
AUSTRIA
Edmund Baidoo (RB Salzburg)
Baidoo played 77 minutes as Salzburg booked a semi-final spot in the Austrian Cup with a 1-0 win over Wolfsberger AC.
SWITZERLAND
Lawrence Ati Zigi (St. Gallen)
Ati Zigi retained his place in goal and made one crucial save in a 2-2 draw against Luzern.
Jonas Adjetey (FC Basel)
Despite Basel’s 2-1 home defeat to Thun, Adjetey delivered a battling performance, making 11 clearances and winning two of three tackles.
Overall, it was a productive weekend for Ghanaian players abroad, highlighted by goals from Antoine Semenyo and Ibrahim Sulemana, creative brilliance from Felix Afena-Gyan, and several strong defensive displays across Europe.