From the dream start to life in the Austrian league to the battle for survival across Europe, Sports Crusader’s Saani Abacha takes a look at the complete round-up of Ghanaian players abroad.
England
Ghana duo of Jeff Schlupp and Daniel Amartey endured a nightmare start to their international club Championship with an alarming defeat at the hands of PSG. Unai Emery’s men spanked the English champions by four goals to lay the gauntlet ahead of their clash with Real Madrid. Both Schlupp and Amartey saw action for the Foxes with the latter ceding a penalty in the game.
Neither Baba Rahman nor Christian Atsu could find his way into the Chelsea side that labored to a 3-2 defeat to a Marcelo-inspired Real Madrid. Belgian sensation, Eden Hazard, pulled two goals for the Blues very late into the game to tone down the result. Baba Rahman has since joined the loan train en-ruote to the city of Rur for a new career with Schalke 04.
The Ayew brothers continue to dazzle for their respective clubs less than a week to the kick-off of the premier league. Jordan Ayew stung the palms of Victor Valdez in post for Middlesborough in their 1-3 reverse to the Teesiders that has Albert Adomah on top of his game for the premier league returnees.
Shortly after Andre Ayew added value to his transfer kitty with another stylish display for the Swans in a 4-0 demolition of Wolves. The Hammers target looks set to depart the Liberty Stadium with a number of clubs hustling for his signature.
Joseph Dodoo and his Scottish side, Glasgow Rangers, were tamed by Burnley ahead of the SPL official return next week. The 20-year-old forward headed to Glasgow from the King Power stadium on a three-year deal.
Italy
Bari Striker, Kinglsey Boateng registered his opening goal for the serie B side in a seven-goal thriller over Trento. The lanky forward racked home an unstoppable volley to round the scoring for his side in a 5-2 win over their lower league opponents.
Black Stars midfielder, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, fine-tuned his personal readiness for the new Serie A campaign with another bossy performance to guide Udinese past Akhisar in the off-season shake-up. The former Kumasi Asante Kotoko defensive midfielder lasted the full throttle in the 2-1 win for the Stade Fruili outfit. Kwadwo Asamoah, however watched proceedings from the bench as Juventus edged out South China 2-1 to round up their tour of the Far East.
Sweden
Midfielder, Kwame Bonsu, continues his survival battle with Geffle in the Swedish Allsvenan league with another 0-2 home reverse to Hammarby. The utility man was powerless in preventing his side from another expected defeat at the hands of the reincarnated Hamarby boosted by the return of Joseph Aidoo. The former Inter Allies centre-back lasted 90 minutes for Hamarby.
Ghanaian pair of Patrick Kpozo and Ebenezer Ofori powered ALK Solna to a 2-0 win over Falkenburg to keep their title hopes alive. The pair continue to feature on weekly basis with the return leg of the 2016/17 Europa league looming. Kpozo saw 90 minutes whiles Ofori came on in the final 17 minutes.
Yussif Chibsah lasted 83 minutes for Ljungskile as they slumped to a 0-1 home set back. The Ghanaian and his relegation-threatened side now drop to 13th slot on the log.
Mohammed Abubakari added to his appearances, another outstanding display for BK Hacken in a 1-1 thriller at home to Helsingborg. Compatriot duo of Baba Mensah and Nasir Mohammed were conspicuously missing from the Hacken side.
Thomas Boakye lasted the full throttle for Varberg in their 0-2 painful defeat at home to AFC United in the Swedish second tier league.
Norway
Former Hearts of Oak celebrated center-forward, Mahatma Osman Otoo, watched from the bench as Sogndal stole three points at Haugesaund in the Norwegian top flight. Club mate, Gilbert Koomson, lasted 73 minutes after taking another avoidable yellow card.
Ernest Asante saw 90 minutes for Staebik as they eased their relegation woes with a crucial 2-2 thriller at Stromgodset. The wide man bagged a priceless assist in the second equalizer for Staebik.
Dutch-born Ghanaian striker, Edwin Gyasi, powered Aalesund to a 2-0 win over Lillestron to cushion their spot just above the drop on his first start of the season since his arrival from Dutch football.
South Africa
Ghanaian trio of John Painstil, Edwin Gyimah and Bernard Morrison endured a mixed start to the official PSL curtain-raiser over the weekend. John Painstil won his first ever trophy with Kaizer Cheifs at the expense of Orlando Pirates that have Bernard Morrison and Edwin Gyimh in their books.
Rest Of Europe
Elsewhere, National Under 20 right-back, Geoffery Acheampong, came off the bench to open his scoring account for SC Bastia in their 4-1 defeat away to German Dibundesliga side Brawnsweich. The 19-year-old rear guard got the only goal for his French side on his maiden appearance since joining Babara SC in the USL. Ghanaian defender, Phil Ofosu Ayeh, saw the full 90 minutes for the Germans.
Kevin Mensah featured 90 minutes for Esjberg in their 2-1 defeat to Viborg in the Danish league. The midfielder and his struggling Esjberg side stay rooted to the bottom of the log.
Former WAFA SC attacking prodigy, Samuel Tetteh, opened his official account with Liefering as they humiliated Weiner Neustad away from home. Tetteh capped an impressive 86 minutes on the pitch with the fourth goal for his side in the Austrian Bundesliga II.
Veteran forward, Quincy Owusu Abeyie and German-born Ghanaian, Reagy Baah Fosu, jostled on the pitch for the 90 minutes as NEC Nemegin lost 0-2 to Spanish side Real Sociedad. La Real inflicted a second defeat on the Dutch side ahead of the Eredivise kick-off.
Ransford Osei added to the spectators at the KUPS Arena in the Finnish league as KUPS were held at home by ROPS. Osei has been a peripheral figure for ROPS all season despite their goal drought. Compatriot, Anthony Annan featured in the final 11 minutes for HJK in a 0-0 stalemate with Inter Torklu whiles Richard Gadze increased the fan base inside the stadium.
In Romania, Muniru Sulley lasted 90 minutes for Steaua Bucharesti as they tamed Vitrolul by 1-3 to keep their treble hopes alive. The full-back turned winger, powered the Romanian cup holders to a crucial away win in the division to stay within touching distance of league.
Compiled by Saani Abacha
Follow on twitter @saani_abacha
Ghanaian Players Abroad: Acheampong Dazzles, Samuel Tetteh Opens Account
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