After an eight-month battle with injury, Ghanaian midfielder Salis Abdul Samed made his long-awaited return to competitive football in Sunderland’s narrow 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Stoke City on Saturday, January 11, 2025. The 23-year-old, on loan from French Ligue 1 club RC Lens, showcased glimpses of his quality in a bittersweet debut at the Stadium of Light.

Substituted on in the 79th minute for Harrison Jones, Abdul Samed wasted no time asserting himself in midfield. With a standout 94% pass accuracy, completing 33 of 35 attempts, his composure on the ball was evident. Defensively, he chipped in with a tackle, an interception, a blocked shot, and two successful ground duels, earning admiration from the Sunderland faithful.

However, the joy of his return was dampened in extra time when a momentary lapse in concentration allowed Stoke’s Niall Ennis to capitalize and score the decisive goal. Despite the mistake, Abdul Samed’s overall performance hinted at his potential to play a key role for Sunderland as they aim for Championship promotion.

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris acknowledged the young Ghanaian’s impact, expressing optimism about what Abdul Samed can bring to the team in the season’s critical second half. The fans, too, will hope that this is just the beginning of his redemption story.