Spanish-born of Ghanaian parentage, Nico Williams has joined the rest of his Athletic Bilbao teammates for pre-season ahead of the 2024/25 football season.
Sofascore has recognized Ghanaian winger Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer and defender Daniel Heber for their exceptional performances in Bundesliga 2, securing a place in the Team of the Week for Week 1.
Königsdörffer's standout display came in Hamburger SV's 2-1 victory over FC Köln, where he scored both goals. The match, held at the RheinEnergieSTADION, saw Königsdörffer shine as he played the full 90 minutes.
He opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a right-footed shot from close range, finding the bottom right corner. He then doubled the lead in the 35th minute, again using his right foot to slot the ball home from the right side of the six-yard box. Despite FC Köln's dominance in possession and shots, Hamburger SV maintained their lead.
FC Köln pulled one back in the 78th minute through Linton Maina, who headed in a cross from Dejan Ljubicic. However, it was too little too late as Hamburger SV held on for the win. This victory takes Hamburger SV's head-to-head record against FC Köln to 9 wins, 7 losses, and 4 draws. Hamburger SV will next face Hertha BSC in their upcoming league game on August 10th.
German-born Ghanaian defender Daniel Heber was also included in the Team of the Week. He played a crucial role in helping Magdeburg keep a clean sheet in their goalless draw against Elversberg.
Below is the Team of the Week:
Ghanaian defender Fard Ibrahim found the back of the net in FC Isloch Minsk Raion's 3-2 loss to Dynamo Brest in the Belarus Premier League.
Before the match, Dynamo Brest had eight wins, Isloch had four, and there had been five draws in their head-to-head record.
The game at OSK Brestskiy saw Fard Ibrahim play the full 90 minutes. The match events unfolded as follows:
German Barkovsky opened the scoring for Dynamo Brest in the 22nd minute. Aleksandr Shestyuk equalized for FC Isloch Minsk Raion in the 41st minute.
Mikhail Gordeychuk put Dynamo Brest ahead again right after halftime in the 46th minute. Fard Ibrahim leveled the score for FC Isloch Minsk Raion in the 53rd minute.
Mikhail Gordeychuk sealed the win for Dynamo Brest with a penalty in the 78th minute.
Fard Ibrahim has now played three games and scored one goal in the 2024 Belarus Premier League.
FC Isloch Minsk Raion is currently 9th on the league table with 20 points from 16 games. Their next league match is against Shakhtyor Soligorsk on August 10th.
Former Asante Kotoko midfielder, Enoch Morrison has apologized to the entire Hearts of Oak fraternity for somehow ditching them to join Kenyan giants Gor Mahia ahead of the upcoming season.
Ghanaian forward Brandon Thomas-Asante is targeting his first goal for Coventry City in their opening match of the 2024/25 Championship season against Stoke City on Saturday.
Thomas-Asante, who joined the club on a four-year deal from West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee, had hoped to score on his debut in a pre-season friendly against Werder Bremen, but he is now focused on making an impact in the league opener.
The 25-year-old made his first appearance in a Coventry shirt after joining the club and is eager to score on Saturday at the Bet365 Stadium. Thomas-Asante has expressed his excitement to get started and give the fans something to be excited about.
“I am over the moon to get to work. I was expecting to get my debut goal but we will save that for my league debut at Stoke,” Thomas-Asante stated in an interview with Coventry City media. "I am super excited and I cannot wait to give the fans something to be excited about."
During his time with West Brom last season, Thomas-Asante scored 12 goals and added two assists in 43 games in all competitions. He is now looking to replicate that form for Coventry City and make a significant impact in the Championship.
With his pace, skill, and goal-scoring ability, Thomas-Asante is expected to be a key player for Coventry City this season. His debut goal will be a significant milestone for him, and he is determined to make it happen in the opening match of the season.
Coventry City's new striker Brandon Thomas-Asante has revealed his ambition to play in the English Premier League and believes his move to the Sky Blues will help him achieve this goal.
The 25-year-old English-born Ghanaian made his debut for Coventry in a 2-1 defeat to Werder Bremen over the weekend, and he is eager to make an impact at his new club.
Thomas-Asante, who joined Coventry from West Bromwich Albion on a four-year deal, had been considering a move to Hull City before finalizing his transfer. He is now looking forward to playing in the Championship and helping Coventry achieve promotion to the Premier League.
"I have had my eyes on the Premier League; I have always had my eyes on it. I feel like coming here will put me in that position. That is the task for the team and the club…we are going to make it happen," Thomas-Asante said in an interview.
Thomas-Asante's debut was marked by a sense of excitement and freedom, as he expressed his desire to be expressive and instinctive on the pitch. He is confident that his playing style will thrive under Coventry's manager, who will allow him to play freely.
"Goals and excitement. Moments. I love to be expressive and instinctive. I am playing freely, which is something the manager will allow me to do. I am super excited," he said.
With his sights set on the Premier League, Thomas-Asante is ready to put in the hard work and dedication required to achieve his goal.
Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi has praised his teammates after St. Gallen secured a 4-3 victory over Lausanne in Sunday’s Swiss Super League clash at Stade de la Tuilière.
The Ghana international goalkeeper, although failed to keep a clean sheet in the encounter - started and played the full 90 minutes.
Goals from Isaac Schmidt, Willem Geubbels, Chadrac Akolo and Guinean youngster Moustapha Cissé ensured that the Espen's record their second win in the match-week 3 fixture.
And the former WAFA goalkeeper has taken to Instagram to hail his colleagues for the ‘great performance’ while also acknowledging the fans for their show of support in the tie.
“All glory be to you Lord. What an amazing week, winning ways. Great Team Effort."
The win is their second this season which has moved them to the 4th spot in the log after garnering 6 points from three games.
Ati-Zigi will hope to get another opportunity to, maybe record a clean sheet when St. Gallen hosts Grasshoppers in their next league game on August 11.
By: Pascal Amoah
Ghanaian midfielder Lawrence Agyekum has voiced his concern over Cercle Brugge’s challenging start to the 2024/25 Belgium Jupiler Pro League season.
The team has struggled in their opening matches, suffering defeats in both their games against Westerlo and Kortrijk.
Agyekum, who has featured in both of these fixtures, saw his debut marred by a 3-0 loss to Westerlo, followed by a 2-1 defeat to Kortrijk at the weekend. The latter match, played at the Jan Breydelstadion, saw Kortrijk take an early lead with a goal from Nacho Ferri. Cercle Brugge managed to equalize before halftime with a goal from Thibo Somers, but Kortrijk secured the win with a decisive goal from Mark Mampassi.
Despite the setbacks, Agyekum remained optimistic about the season's prospects. Following the game, he took to social media to thank the fans for their unwavering support and to assure them of the team’s commitment to improving.
"Big thanks to our amazing fans for the massive support. We will come back stronger,” he posted on his official Instagram account.
Agyekum, who is on loan from Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg, is expected to play a significant role for Cercle Brugge this season as they look to turn their fortunes around.
Swiss international Kwadwo Duah, of Ghanaian descent, scored his first league goal of the season in Ludogorets Razgrad’s commanding 5-1 victory over Arda on match day three of the Bulgarian First League.
In his debut match in the Bulgarian top flight, the 27-year-old made an impact at the Huvepharma Arena on Saturday. Ludogorets took the lead after just eight minutes, with Son assisting Denny Gropper for the opening goal.
Duah extended the hosts' advantage with a goal just before halftime, again assisted by Gropper. Two minutes after the break, Son set up Rwan Cruz to make it 3-0 for the defending champions. Spas Delev then increased the lead to 4-0.
Son scored his second goal of the game in the 73rd minute, further sealing the win for Ludogorets. Arda's Felix Eboa Eboa scored a late consolation goal, assisted by Tonislav Yordanov, ending the match with a 5-1 scoreline.
Black Stars forward Joseph Paintsil maintained his impressive form in the United States with a goal in the Leagues Cup match for LA Galaxy against Guadalajara.
The 26-year-old scored in the 11th minute of an exciting game that ended in a penalty shootout, with the MLS team advancing to the round of 32.
Guadalajara took the lead early, with Alan Mozo scoring just eight minutes into the match. However, Paintsil quickly equalized with a well-placed strike three minutes later.
Gabriel Pec, another LA Galaxy Designated Player, gave the American side the advantage with 23 minutes left, but Cade Cowell's late goal forced the match to penalties.
Paintsil successfully converted his penalty, helping LA Galaxy win 5-4 in the shootout and move on to the knockout stages, where they will face the Seattle Sounders.
Since joining the California club in February from Belgian side KRC Genk, Paintsil has become a fan favorite, netting nine goals and providing seven assists across all competitions.
Ghana winger, Frank Acheampong was sent off in Henan FC’s 1:1 draw with Nantong Zhiyun FC in the Chinese Super League on Sunday.
HNK Sibenik of Croatia defender Morrison Agyemang has opened his goals account for the season, having notched his side's second goal in their 2-1 away win over NK Osijek in the Croatian top-flight league on Sunday evening.
