European club competitions: How Ghanaian players performed on Matchday 3
The European club competitions were staged this week, with the Matchday 3 fixtures hosted around various centres.
Some Ghanaian footballers were in action as they continued to fly the flag of the football-loving nation in the most competitive tournaments in the world.
Most of the players are keen to gain the attention of the technical team of the Black Stars to be included in the squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
TGR sports looks at how these players ensured they merit their transfer price.
Champions League
Kudus Mohammed – Ajax
In-form attacker Kudus was in action for his Dutch side Ajax in a Tuesday night action as his team came up against Italian side Napoli in the Group A fixture of the Champions League.
The 22-year-old played the game’s duration and scored to record his eighth goal of the season for Ajax in their shocking 6-1 defeat.
His goal, scored in the 9th minute, makes him the first Ghanaian to score in three consecutive Champions League games.
His earlier goals were against Rangers in the opening group stage fixture and another against Liverpool at Anfield.
Kamal Sowah – Club Brugge
Kamal Sowah gave a good account of himself when he opened the scoring for Club Brugge when his side hosted Atletico Madrid.
The youngster was recalled from his loan spell at AZ Alkmaar, where he was sent to enjoy regular play time following his initial struggles to feature for the Belgium champions.
According to reports, many of the club fans had given up on the former Leicester City player, with many not enthused about his qualities. But, according to the Dutch portal, Nieuwsblad, the winger is justifying his price tag.
“People were laughing at Sowah previously because of his big price tag and the fact that he wasn’t scoring, but with goals in big games against Porto and Atletico, he has justified his price tag,” wrote Niewsblad.
The goal makes it two for him in the European competitions after scoring his first in their victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
Denis Odoi – Club Brugge
Odoi enjoyed 90 minutes of Club Brugge’s game against Spanish side Atletico Madrid.
His excellent display at the back paid off as the team kept a clean sheet in their 2-0 win.
Odoi and his teammate Kamal Sowah are flying high as Brugge tops Group B with 9 points from 3 games and yet to concede a goal.
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku – Sporting Lisbon
Youngster Issahaku and his club Sporting Lisbon were in action in a Group D fixture against Marseille.
The club suffered a 4-1 defeat away to the French side, with the talented winger warming the bench and awaiting an opportunity to make his Champions League debut.
Despite the defeat, Sporting sits top of the group with 6 points after winning the two earlier matches.
Europa League
Kamaldeen Sulemana – Stade Rennes
Highly rated youngster Sulemana did not feature for his side Stade Rennes when they played against Dynamo Kyiv in the Group B fixture.
Sulemana did not make the squad list for the game due to an injury.
Stade Rennes won the game by two goals to 1 and currently occupy the second position on the log.
Osman Bukari – Red Star Belgrade
In-form Bukari was not in action for Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade who were at home against Ferencvaros in their Group H Matchday 3 fixture.
Belgrade recorded their first win in the competition after defeating their opponent by four goals to 1.
Daniel-Kofi Kyereh – Freiburg
Kyereh was in action for Freiburg when they hosted Nantes in their third Group G fixture.
Kyereh was on target for his German side in their 2-0 victory over the French side and lasted 82 minutes on the field of play.
His side tops the group after three wins in the competition.
Bernard Tekpetey – Ludogorets Razgrad
Tekpetey featured for Ludogorets Razgrad when they made a trip to Israel to play HJK Helsinki in a Group C fixture.
The in-form forward’s contribution in the game lasted 61 minutes as his team settled for a 1-1 draw.
His side is currently second on the group log with 4 points.
Kwabena Owusu – Qarabag
Striker Owusu was in action for Azerbaijani side Qarabag in their fixture against Olympiacos.
He lasted 90 minutes in the game, which paid off as he scored for his side in their 3-0 win over the Greek side.
Qarabag lies second in Group G with 6 points; the only defeat was in the opening match against German side Freiburg.
Malik Abubakari – HJK Helsinki
Abubakari featured for HJK Helsinki when they came up against Ludogorets Razgrad in their Group C fixture.
He led his team up front but was substituted in the 64th minute of the game.
The teams shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw.
Yet to record a win, his club lies bottom of the table after three rounds of matches with 1 point.
Patrick Kpozo/Salifu Mudasiru/Razark Abalora/Edmund Addo – Sherrif Tiraspol
Defender Kpozo and midfielder Mudasiru were in action for Sheriff Tiraspol when they played against Real Sociedad in the Europa competition on Thursday.
Mudasiru and teammate Kpozo were introduced into the game in the 66th and 77th minute, respectively.
They lost by two goals to nil, the same scoreline as when they came up against Manchester United.
Tiraspol are third on the log after they won their first game against Omonia.
Another Ghanaian teammate, Razak Abalora, was not included in the lineup for the game.
READ ALSO : Meet The Ghanaian Players In The Uefa Europa League And Their Group Stage Opponents
Emmanuel Lomotey – Malmo FF
Malmo FF newly-signed Lomotey warmed the bench for his side in their Group D encounter with Union Berlin, which they lost 1-0.
The 24-year-old is yet to feature his side in the ongoing competition after missing their first two fixtures against Braga and St Gilloise.
The result from Thursday places his side bottom of Group D with no points.
Thomas Partey – Arsenal
Deputy Black Stars captain Partey made the squad list for yesterday’s action.
Arsenal won the match 3-0 against Bodo/Glimt.
The Gunners top Group A with 9 points after recording a 100% winning rate.