Ghanaian Players Shine Across European and Global Leagues Over the Weekend
Ghanaian footballers delivered notable performances across various leagues worldwide over the weekend, with standout moments from Antoine Semenyo, Andre Ayew, and Zubairu Ibrahim.
In England, Antoine Semenyo continued his fine form, putting in a man-of-the-match display to help AFC Bournemouth progress in the FA Cup. The Cherries edged Wolves 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Tariq Lamptey had a mixed outing for Brighton, receiving a red card in their hard-fought 2-1 win over Newcastle United. In the Championship, James Abankwah played the full 90 minutes in Watford’s goalless draw at Stoke City, while Brandon Thomas-Asante remained on the bench as Coventry City secured a 3-2 win at Oxford United.
Over in Spain, Inaki Williams lasted the full duration as Athletic Club fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid. Abdul Mumin featured for Rayo Vallecano in their 1-1 draw against Sevilla but was forced off after just 35 minutes due to injury. Meanwhile, Kwasi Sibo played 68 minutes in Real Oviedo’s 2-1 loss to Deportivo La Coruña.
In Germany, Ragnar Ache stole the spotlight with a brilliant brace for Kaiserslautern in their commanding 3-0 win over Jahn Regensburg. Christopher Antwi-Adjei and Anton Donkor were key figures in Schalke 04’s 1-0 triumph over Daniel Kyerewaa’s Preussen Münster. Elsewhere, Ilyas Ansah provided an assist in Paderborn 07’s 2-0 win over Hamburger SV.
Italy saw Emmanuel Gyasi play the full game in Genoa’s 1-1 draw with Empoli, while Felix Afena-Gyan featured for Juventus Next Generation in their 2-1 loss at Avellino. Alfred Duncan and John Yeboah came off the bench for Venezia in a goalless draw against Atalanta.
In France, Andre Ayew was in fine form, scoring and assisting in Le Havre’s thrilling 4-3 away win over RC Lens. Dennis Appiah and Augustine Boakye made substitute appearances in Saint-Etienne’s 3-1 home defeat to OGC Nice. Ernest Nuamah played a cameo role in Lyon’s 2-1 victory over Brest, while Gideon Mensah and Elisha Owusu were both in action for AJ Auxerre in their 1-0 loss to Strasbourg.
From the Netherlands, Brian Brobbey played the full game as Ajax secured a narrow 1-0 away win at Almere City. Ibrahim Osman was an unused substitute in Feyenoord’s goalless draw against NEC Nijmegen.
In Turkey, Nicholas Opoku played the full match in Kasimpasa’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Galatasaray, while Alexander Djiku made a late appearance in Fenerbahçe’s 3-0 victory over Antalyaspor.
Portugal saw Majeed Ashimeru make his long-awaited return from injury, coming off the bench in Anderlecht’s 2-0 away win at Standard Liège. Christopher Bonsu Baah played the full game in KRC Genk’s 1-1 draw at Sporting Charleroi.
Scotland witnessed Jeffrey Schlupp make a significant impact for Celtic, scoring and providing an assist in their resounding 5-2 victory over St. Mirren.
In Major League Soccer (MLS), Mohammed Sofo found the net for New York Red Bulls in their 2-0 win over Nashville SC. Kelvin Yeboah was also on target, scoring the only goal in Minnesota United’s 1-0 triumph over CF Montreal.
Elsewhere in Switzerland, Lawrence Ati-Zigi was in goal for FC St. Gallen as they suffered a 4-0 defeat to Winterthur, while Kassim Adams played the full game in Servette’s 1-0 away win at Lausanne.
In Serbia, Zubairu Ibrahim continued his impressive form, scoring again for FK Partizan in their emphatic 4-1 win over Tekstilac. Samuel Owusu was also on the scoresheet, netting in OFK Beograd’s 2-0 victory over Radnički Niš.
The weekend saw Ghanaian players making waves across different leagues, with several standout performances. Fans will be eager to see how these players continue to perform as the season progresses.
