European Club Competitions: How Ghanaian Players Performed On Matchday 4
The European club competitions were staged this week, with the Matchday 4 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 part of the starting line-up for his Dutch side Ajax in a Wednesday night action as his team played a return fixture against Italian side Napoli in the Group A fixture of the Champions League.
The 22-year-old saw 65 minutes of the game in his team’s quest to redeem a 6-1 humiliation at home to the Italian side a week ago but failed as they suffered another painful 4-2 defeat away.
Kudus could not get his name on the scoresheet after scoring in three consecutive Champions League games this time.
Kamal Sowah – Club Brugge
Kamal Sowah was in action for Club Brugge in their week 4 match away to Spanish side Atletico Madrid.
The winger was given his marching orders in his team’s hard-fought goalless draw in the 82nd minute for kicking the ball away after the referee had whistled for an infringement.
It was the second yellow card for his action, and he got sent off after picking his first yellow card in added-on time in the first half.
Sowah went into the game on the back of scoring goals against Atletico in the first leg and FC Porto but is set to miss the second leg against Porto due to the suspension.
The draw ensured Brugge qualifies for Round 16 with two games to spare.
Denis Odoi – Club Brugge
Denis Odoi lasted the entire duration of the contest for Club Brugge against Spanish side Atletico Madrid.
His impressive performance ensured the Belgian side, Brugge, held on to record its fourth straight clean sheet in this year’s competition.
The result means Odoi and his teammate Kamal Sowah are already through to the next stage of the competition with their games against Portuguese side Porto and Bayer Leverkusen to spare.
Brugge has 10 points from winning three of four games.
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku – Sporting Lisbon
Youngster Issahaku’s debut in the Champions League for his club, Sporting Lisbon, ended in a defeat against Marseille.
Issahaku was introduced into the game in the 22nd minute to mark the 18-year-old’s first run out in the elite competition.
His club suffered a 2-0 defeat at home against the French side.
The defeat sends Sporting to 3rd position in the Group D standings with 6 points. To advance to the next stage, they must secure positive results in their next game against Tottenham and their final group fixture against German side Frankfurt.
Europa League
Thomas Partey – Arsenal
Thomas Partey made the squad list for his side, Arsenal, in their group fixture against Bodo/Glimt.
The midfielder made a brief appearance in the game, coming on in the 86th minute to help the Gunners secure their third straight win.
His team won the game by a lone goal, and with 9 points so far, they maintain their position on top of Group A.
Kamaldeen Sulemana – Stade Rennes
Highly-rated youngster Sulemana was introduced into the game for his side Stade Rennes in their return fixture against Dynamo Kyiv.
Sulemana was making a return from injury when he came on in the 66th minute to help his side secure a 1-0 win over the club from Ukraine.
Rennes currently occupies the second position on the log with 10 points, the same as leaders Fenerbarche.
Osman Bukari – Red Star Belgrade
In-form Bukari was in action for Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade who travelled for their away fixture against Ferencvaros in their Group H Matchday 4 encounter.
He was introduced into the game in the 61st minute as they suffered a 2-1 defeat on Thursday night.
Belgrade maintains its position at the bottom of the log with a slim chance of making it to the next stage of the competition.
Daniel-Kofi Kyereh – Freiburg
Kyereh was not included in Freiburg’s squad that took a trip to France for their match against Nantes.
His team won the game by four goals to nil to advance to the next stage of the competition with two matches to spare.
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 7 points.
Kwabena Owusu – Qarabag
Striker Owusu was in action for Azerbaijani side Qarabag in their fixture against Olympiacos.
He lasted 85 minutes in the game, with the match ending goalless against the Greek side.
Qarabag lies second in Group G with 7 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 and enjoyed the full 90 minutes of the game but unfortunately lost 2-0 against the Bulgarian side.
Yet to record a win, his club lies bottom of the table after four 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 saw 90 minutes of action but could not save the club from a 3-0 defeat by the Spanish side.
Tiraspol is third on the log after they won their first game against Omonia.
READ ALSO: European Club Competitions: How Ghanaian Players Performed On Matchday 3
Emmanuel Lomotey – Malmo FF
Malmo FF-based Lomotey came on as a substitute in the 81st minute of the game when they came up against Union Berlin.
The 24-year-old’s debut in the ongoing competition was short-lived when he was shown the exit with a red card a few minutes after being introduced into the game.
His side is yet to record a point from the competition as they occupy the bottom position of Group D.