AZ Alkmaar ended a solid 13-year wait for major silverware in style after dismantling NEC Nijmegen by 5-1 to lift the KNVB Cup on Sunday.
It was a dominant display from the Alkmaar-based side, who took the game under total control from start to finish to seal a memorable victory.
Two Ghanaian players, Jayden Owusu-Oduro and Ibrahim Sadiq, were part of the squad that achieved the milestone.
Owusu-Oduro played a crucial role in the final, starting in goal and producing a top-tier and composed performance as AZ cruised to the trophy with a stunning 7.4 rating on Sofascore.
Although Ibrahim Sadiq was not included in the matchday squad for the final due to unknown reasons, the winger played an important part in the club’s journey to lifting the trophy.
He featured in earlier rounds of the competition, including the semi-final clash against Telstar, helping the team secure qualification to the final.
The former Ghana youth international has also been active on the European stage, recently featuring in the Cheese Farmers’ UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final tie against Shakhtar Donetsk.
AZ Alkmaar’s triumph is particularly remarkable given the youthful nature of their team. The club currently boasts one of the youngest squads in the Eredivisie, making the achievement even more impressive as they blend youth with quality to compete at the highest level.
For both Owusu-Oduro and Sadiq, the title represents a significant moment in their careers, with Ghanaians hoping that the former will agree to represent Ghana at international level and probably make the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
