From Tottenham to Istanbul and Riyadh, it was a mixed weekend for Ghana’s diaspora. There were comebacks, first assists of the season, a new signing on the bench, and one high-profile absence.
England
Mohammed Kudus finally returned for Tottenham after more than seven months out. Roberto De Zerbi brought him on in the 68th minute for Mathys Tel, with Spurs already 1-0 down to Newcastle at home. Kudus played on the flank, completed most of his passes and tried to inject pace, but the rust showed. Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa made it 2-0, leaving Tottenham still without a point or a goal after two Premier League games. The 26-year-old had been out since a January injury against Sunderland, missed 25 club matches and the World Cup after a later setback. This was a first step back, not a statement.
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku was the brightest Ghanaian in England. Starting on the right for Ipswich at Old Trafford, he beat Luke Shaw for pace and cut back for Leif Davis to volley Ipswich in front after 29 minutes. He created chances, completed dribbles and lasted 83 minutes before being withdrawn. It was not enough. Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick as Manchester United ran out 5-2 winners. The assist still marked Fatawu’s first Premier League contribution of the season after his move from Leicester.
Antoine Semenyo started on the left for Manchester City in Friday’s 4-1 win at Crystal Palace and lasted the full 90. His inswinging cross found Erling Haaland for the opener in the 16th minute — Semenyo’s first assist in City colours this term. He added shots and chance creation as City stayed top after two wins.
At the CBS Arena, two Ghanaians shared a 1-0 defeat as newly promoted Coventry City lost to Hull City. Record signing Caleb Yirenkyi, 20, started beside Matt Grimes and lasted 71 minutes. He created a headed chance for Taiwo Awoniyi but could not prevent Liam Millar’s late winner.
Brandon Thomas-Asante came on for the last half-hour and had little time to change the score. Hull made it two wins from two; Coventry are still waiting for a first Premier League point.
Spain, Germany and France
Iñaki Williams helped Athletic Club end a two-game losing start. Away to Celta Vigo, he assisted Alex Berenguer for the opener in a 2-0 win before Robert Navarro added a second.
Gideon Mensah made his Bundesliga debut for Köln in a 3-2 home win over Hoffenheim, starting at left-back and completing 90 minutes after earlier cup minutes.
In Ligue 1, Ernest Nuamah started for Lyon against Le Havre and was lively on the wing, but Lyon were held 1-1 by a deep block. Nathaniel Adjei played the full match at left centre-back in Lorient’s 2-1 home loss to Troyes.
Turkey
Kojo Peprah Oppong completed his move from Nice to Fenerbahçe and was named on the bench the next day against Samsunspor. He did not play as Fenerbahçe won 2-0. The 22-year-old centre-back signed a four-year deal after a first season as a regular in France.
Elsewhere in the Süper Lig, Elisha Owusu played 90 minutes in Erzurumspor’s 1-1 draw at Gençlerbirliği. Dan Agyei started on the right in Kocaelispor’s 2-1 win over 10-man Konyaspor before coming off. Jerome Opoku completed 90 minutes in İstanbul Başakşehir’s 1-1 draw with Kasımpaşan and looked comfortable playing out from the back.
Saudi Arabia and Russia
Christopher Bonsu Baah started as a left wing-back and was a constant outlet as Al-Qadsiah beat Al-Faisaly 3-1 before being substituted.
Thomas Partey was left out of Al-Shabab’s squad for Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Al-Hazem after reports of a knock. He had debuted as a substitute the previous weekend and started in midweek’s 3-3 draw with Al-Riyadh before being taken off at half-time. Fitness, not form, appears to have been the issue.
In Russia, Alexander Djiku started again for Spartak Moscow in a 1-1 draw with Orenburg — his sixth appearance of the season after missing the World Cup through injury.
MLS and Greece
Prince Owusu played the full 90 as CF Montréal were thrashed 7-1 by Inter Miami, with Lionel Messi scoring four.
Joseph Paintsil also completed 90 minutes in LA Galaxy’s 3-1 loss to San Diego.
Maxwell Woledzi was part of a clean sheet as Eastern Conference leaders Nashville beat FC Cincinnati 4-0.
In Greece, Baba Rahman played the full match at left-back as PAOK won 2-1 at Atromitos and stayed top.
