There were goals galore over the weekend by the Black Stars players including one from captain Andre Ayew, Baba Iddrisu, Jonathan Mensah, and Joel Fameyeh while Kamaldeen Sulemana also provided an assist in France
Ghanaian players got involved in action over the weekend just before the international break for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. And, Milovan Rajevac’s 27 foreign-based Black Stars players were involved in action for their clubs.
Ghana is set to play a double header against Zimbabwe in 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers during the international break and a lot of the players named in the Black Stars squad by new coach Milovan Rajevac were outstanding for their respective clubs.
Some of them scored goals while others provided assists for their teammates to score as well as others making incredible saves and clearances to prevent their teams from conceding.
GOALKEEPERS:
Switzerland based goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was in action for St Gallen when they suffered a 5-2 defeat in the hands of Grasshoppers in the Swiss Super League.
Despite making some incredible saves, things don’t look well for his club. The 24-year-old has now conceded 14 goals in his last four outings for Gallen.
In the English League Two, newly-invited goalkeeper Jojo Wollacot played the full throttle for Swindon Town when they recorded a 3-1 away win over Bristol Rovers. The youngster who was given a surprise invitation by Milovan Rajevac could not keep a clean sheet but he was for his side.
Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Richard Attah was also in action when the Phobians defeated Tema Youth 4-2 in a friendly game ahead of their Caf Champions League clash with Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club on October 22. Meanwhile, Asante Kotoko youngster Danlad Ibrahim could not play a game since his side just began their pre-season for the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League campaign.
DEFENDERS
Reading defender Baba Rahman lasted the entire duration but Andy Yiadom played 79 minutes in their 1-0 away win over Cardiff City. The duo had an impressive game for Reading who are trying to win qualification back to the Premier League next season.
Also in England, Daniel Amartey was an unused substitute when Leicester City gave up a 2-0 lead to share the spoils 2-2 with Crystal Palace at the Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Elsewhere in France, former WAFA left-back Gideon Mensah, who hails from Dunkwa-Mfuom was a second half substitute for Bordeaux in their 3-0 defeat to Lyon. Centre-back Alexander Djiku played full throttle for Strasbourg in their 1-1 away draw with Montpellier also in Ligue 1.
However, former Inter Allies defender Joseph Aidoo was an unused substitute as Celta Vigo narrowly lost to Elche in La Liga.
In the United States, Jonathan Mensah was on target as his goal made sure that Columbus Crew were crowned champions of NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA: Campeones Cup – Final with a 2-0 defeat over Cruz Azul from Mexico.
MIDFIELDERS:
Crystal Palace rallied from two goals down to share the spoils 2-2 with Leicester City and it was substitute Jeffrey Schlupp who got the equaliser for Palace. The midfielder was making his first appearance after picking up a hamstring injury while playing for Ghana against Ethiopia in the World Cup qualifiers last month.
Arsenal also drew goalless with 0-0 Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday and Thomas Partey lasted the entire duration for the Gunners.
Alfred Duncan played 76 minutes for Fiorentina in their 2-1 home defeat to rejuvenated Napoli at home while Iddrisu Baba Mohammed scored the match winner for Real Mallorca in their 1-0 home win over Levante in the La Liga on Saturday.
However, there was no Emmanuel Lomotey in the Amiens squad when they shared the spoils goalless at home with Toulouse and Kudus Mohammed also was an unused substitute as Ajax Amsterdam surprisingly lost 1-0 to FC Utrecht in the Eredivise on Sunday.
Majeed Ashimeru played ONLY seven minutes for Anderlecht when they drew 1-1 with Club Brugge who had Kamal Sowah scoring for them. Unfortunately, Sowah wasn’t called for the World Cup qualifiers. New boy Daniel-Kofi Kyereh provided an assist for St Pauli when they stunned Dynamo Dresden 3-0 in Bundasliga II but there was no action for Wakaso Mubarak since the Chinese Super League is yet to kick off. As a result, he was spotted in a stadium watching a football game.
FORWARDS:
It was all about new sensation Kamaldeen Sulemana in Ligue 1 when Stade Rennes shocked PSG with a 2-0 win. Despite PSG parading Lionel Messi, Kaylian Mbappe, Did Maria and Neymar Jr, Sulemana was the star performer as he provided one assist and consistently tormented the PSG defence on Sunday.
Ghana captain Andre Ayew scored his fourth goal in a row for Al-Sadd when they thumped Al Arabi 4-0 in the Qatari Star League. Ayew’s goal was from the penalty spot.
Former Asokwa Deportivo striker Joel Fameyeh scored his ninth goal of the season for Orenburg in the Russian second-tier league after only 13 games. Emmanuel Gyasi played the full minutes for Spezia Calcio and even captained the team but they suffered a 4-0 defeat in the hands of Chievo Verona in Serie A.
Meanwhile, Yaw Yeboah lasted 86 minutes for Wisla Krakow who lost 1-0 at Piast Gliwice while Jordan Ayew played only 56 minutes in Crystal Palace’s 2-2 home draw with Leicester City. Samuel Owusu played 56 minutes for Al Feiha as they lost 2-1 to Al-Shabab and Caleb Ekuban also played 35 minutes for Genoa who were beaten 1-0 by Salernitana.
Lanky striker Benjamin Tetteh who has been handed his first call up to the Black Stars in almost two years could not score but played 90 minutes when Yeni Malatyaspor suffered 2-0 home loss to Hatayspor in the Turkish Super Lig.