Ghanaian players abroad: Semenyo stars on Man City debut, André Ayew returns

Ghanaian footballers were actively involved across Europe over the weekend, producing a range of performances that underlined the country’s continued influence on the global stage. From a headline-grabbing debut in England to steady returns and important minutes elsewhere, several Black Stars players left their mark for their respective clubs.

READ ALSO: Kudus faces long layoff, leaving Tottenham and Ghana facing major setback

The standout performer was Antoine Semenyo, who enjoyed a dream debut for Manchester City. The forward scored once and provided an assist in City’s emphatic FA Cup victory over Exeter City, earning the Man of the Match award in his first appearance for the club.

His contribution played a key role in City’s comfortable progression in the competition and signalled a strong start to life at his new club.

In the Netherlands, André Ayew made his long-awaited return to competitive football, featuring for NAC Breda in their 0–0 draw away at FC Groningen in the Eredivisie.

Introduced from the bench, the veteran forward brought experience and calm to Breda’s attack as they secured a valuable point in their relegation battle. Ayew, Ghana’s most capped international, is expected to play an important leadership role as NAC Breda look to climb out of the bottom end of the table.

In England, Jordan Ayew continued his steady involvement with Leicester City, coming on during their 2–0 FA Cup win over Cheltenham Town. While his appearance was brief, the forward added experience in the closing stages as Leicester saw out the result.

Jordan Ayew has remained a reliable squad option this season, often tasked with providing energy and tactical discipline.

READ ALSO: Thrown in immediately! Pep fast-tracks Semenyo for FA Cup clash v Exeter

Spain saw mixed fortunes for Ghanaian midfielders. Iddrisu Baba was an ever-present figure for Almería, completing the full 90 minutes in their 2–2 draw with Mirandés in the Segunda División. Known for his defensive discipline and work rate, Baba played a key role in shielding the back line and maintaining structure in midfield. 

Meanwhile, Thomas Partey made a substitute appearance as his side recorded a 3–1 victory over Alavés, helping to close out the match and maintain control in midfield during the latter stages.

In Italy, Ibrahim Sulemana continued his development in Serie A, making a short appearance for Bologna in their 1–1 draw with Como. The young midfielder is gradually earning opportunities at the top level, with the club carefully managing his integration into first-team football.

In Germany, Ransford Yeboah Königsdörffer featured for Hamburger SV in their 2–1 defeat to Freiburg. The attacker was involved in the build-up phases and remained a lively presence, despite HSV falling short on the day.

Collectively, the weekend’s action highlighted the breadth of Ghanaian talent spread across Europe’s major leagues.

READ ALSO: André Ayew makes NAC Breda debut in goalless Eredivisie draw at Groningen

While Semenyo’s explosive debut naturally stole the spotlight, the contributions of experienced figures like André Ayew and Jordan Ayew, alongside consistent performers and emerging talents in Spain, Italy, and Germany, reflected the continued relevance of Ghanaian players abroad.