European football specialist, Reuben Obodai brings you first installment update of how Ghanaian players performed in abroad between Friday and Saturday.
There were plenty of swashbuckling performances from several Ghanaian players across the globe as five players registered their names on the score-sheet between the two days.
Kwesi Appiah was handful for struggling AFC Wimbledon when they came up against Premier League side West Ham United in the FA Cup. The diminutive forward showed his predatory instinct as he opened the scoring in their shock win.
Jonathan Opoku is gradually carving a niche for himself in the Dutch top-flight league. The Dutch-born forward cum winger provided a great assist in VVV Venlo’s win over ADO Den Haag before bagging a brace this weekend but unfortunately, his double could not cover for their defensive frailties as they lost 3-2 against FC Emmen.
Lawrence Ati-Zigi was at the receiving end as Sochaux suffered a slim defeat to Brest. The victors had an auxiliary hand from the Ghana No.2 as he scored the only goal of the game.
Reuben Obodai gives you a lowdown on how the players fared in abroad…
ENGLAND
In the FA Cup, Christian Atsu was introduced in the 73rd minute for Newcastle United in their 2-0 home defeat against Watford in the FA Cup.
Kwesi Appiah opened the scoring for AFC Wimbledon in their 4-2 win over West Ham United in the FA Cup.
In the Championship, Albert Adomah lasted 68 minutes for Aston Villa in their 2-1 win over Ipswich Town.
In League One, Joe Dodoo missed Blackpool FC 2-0 win at Coventry City through injury.
Tarique Fosu made a brief appearance for Charlton Athletic in their goalless draw with Peterborough.
In League Two, Alex Addai played 90 minutes for Cheltenham in their 3-2 win over Macclesfield. Immanuelson Duku warmed the bench for the victors while Koby Arthur suffered an injury and was substituted with just seven minutes on the clock. Enock Andoh was an unused substitute for the losers.
Hiram Boateng missed Exeter City 1-0 win over Cambridge United through injury.
In the National League, Bernard Mensah scored on his competitive debut for Aldershot Town in their 1-1 draw at Dag & Red.
Kevin Lokko played 90 minutes for Dover Athletic in their goalless draw at Havant and Waterlooville. Nortei Nortey played 63 minutes for Dover Athletic.
Nana Ofori Twumasi and Harold Odametey enjoyed 90 minutes for Maidenhead in their 1-o defeat at Wrexham. Nana Owusu made a brief appearance for the losers.
Kwame Thomas was left out of Solihull Moors squad that lost 2-1 at home to AFC Fylde.
SPAIN
Thomas Partey provided a sleek assist for Atletico Madrid in their 2-0 win over Getafe.
Emmanuel Boateng played 76 minutes for UD Levante as they were white-washed 5-0 at Sevilla. Raphael Dwamena warmed the bench for the losers.
In the Segunda Division, Richard Boateng warmed the bench for Real Oviedo in their 2-0 loss at Real Zaragoza.
Yaw Yeboah warmed the bench for CD Numancia in their 1-1 draw with Elche.
Iddrisu Baba Mohammed enjoyed full throttle for Real Mallorca in their 1-1 stalemate with Cadiz CF.
ITALY
Alfred Duncan passed a late fitness test to make a brief appearance for Sassuolo in their 3-0 win over Cagliari. Claud Adjapong was an unused substitute for the victors.
Nicholas Opoku picked a booking before being taken off in the 77 minutes for Udinese as they were thump 4-0 at Sampdoria.
In Serie B, Bright Addae picked a booking before being substituted in the 65th minute during Ascoli’s 3-0 home defeat against Perugia.
Moses Odjer was left out of Salernitana matchday squad that lost 2-1 at home to US Lecce.
GERMANY
Kasim Nuhu missed TSG Hoffenheim 4-2 win at Freiburg through injury.
Issah Abass was left out of Mainz 05 matchday squad that defeated FC Nuremberg 2-1 at home.
Derrick Luckassen missed Hertha Berlin 2-2 draw with Schalke 04 through injury.
In the Bundesliga 3, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh enjoyed 90 minutes for SV Wehen in their 3-2 win at Energie Cottbus. Kevin Weidlich was left out of the losers matchday squad.
Bernard Kyere lasted full throttle for Fortuna Koln in their 1-0 home loss against Hallescher. Braydon Manu recovered from injury to play 33 minutes for the victors.
FRANCE
Emmanuel Ntim was left out of Valenciennes matchday squad that lost 2-1 at home to FC Lorient.
John Boye returned to the starting line up of FC Metz and played 90 minutes in their goalless draw at AC Ajaccio.
Lawrence Ati-Zigi scored a bizarre own goal for Sochaux in their 1-0 loss at Brest. Elisha Owusu played 58 minutes for the losers.
THE NETHERLANDS
Jonathan Opoku‘s brace for VVV Venlo was not enough as they lost 3-2 against FC Emmen at home.
Dutch-born Ghanaian right-back Leeroy Owusu played 90 minutes for De Graafschap in their 2-0 loss Excelsior.
Cody Gakpo warmed the bench for PSV Eindhoven in their 2-1 win over Groningen.
In the Eerste Divisie, Asumah Abubakar warmed the bench for Maastricht as they walloped Helmond 3-0 at home.
Kevin Luckassen lasted 90 minutes for Almere City in their 3-1 home loss against FC Twente.
BELGIUM
William Acheampong cameoed for Royal Antwerp in their 1-1 draw with Standard Liege. Daniel Opare was an unused substitute for the victors.
Nana Opoku Ampomah scored for Waasland-Beveren in their 2-2 draw against Sporting Charleroi.
Elton Acolatse registered an assist for Sint Truiden in their 2-1 victory over Cercle Brugge. Samuel Asamoah played the entire period of action for the victors.
Joseph Aidoo lasted the entire duration for KRC Genk as they were shocked 2-1 at home by Mouscron. Joseph Paintsil watched from the substitute bench for the losers.
In the Proximus League, Ernest Agyiri played 61 minutes for Tubize in their 1-0 win at KSV Roeselare. Divine Naah missed the game for Tubize through injury.
CYPRUS
Benjamin Asamoah lasted the entire duration for Doxa in their 2-0 defeat at Apollon.
FINLAND
Samuel Afum and David Addy played for Ilves in their 1-1 draw with RoPS in the Suomen Cup. Baba Mensah was not included in Ilves matchday squad.
INDIA
Augustine Okrah was not included in North East United squad that inflicted 1-0 defeat on Chennaiyin.
MALTA
Gabriel Mensah played full throttle as Pieta Hotspurs defeated Zejtun Corinthians 2-0 at home.
Isaac Ntow missed Hibernians 4-0 home win over Fgura through suspension.
MEXICO
Clifford Aboagye scored to seal victory for Atlas FC in their 3-1 win over Lobos BUAP.
SCOTLAND
Abdul Osman enjoyed 90 minutes for Falkirk FC in their 2-2 draw with Iverness at home.
TURKEY
Bernard Mensah picked a direct red card in Kayserispor 1-1 stalemate with Bursaspor. Asamoah Gyan missed the action for Kayserispor through injury.
Lumor Agbenyenu debut for S.K Goztepe ended in defeat as Galatasaray pipped them 1-0 at home.
In the Lig 1, Jerry Akaminko missed Istanbulspor AS 2-2 draw with Gaziantep through injury.
