by Silas Boahene | Jun 27, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA
Black Stars winger Osman Bukari has assured Austin FC fans that he will give his best following his arrival in Texas to begin his MLS career. The Ghana international has signed a three-year deal with the Texas-based club as a Designated Player from Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade.
Bukari was greeted enthusiastically by the club’s fans as he prepared to embark on his new journey in the United States. Addressing the supporters, he expressed his eagerness to start playing: “I am really excited to be here and I can’t wait to be on the pitch. I see amazing fans, and I will be very happy to play in front of you. I hope very soon I will be on the pitch.”
The former KAA Gent player revealed that joining the MLS had been a dream of his, and he couldn’t pass up the opportunity when it arose. “Since last year, I was thinking of playing in MLS, so when this offer came, I didn’t want to say no to it. Austin is a beautiful city,” he added.
Bukari comes to Austin FC after achieving back-to-back doubles with Red Star Belgrade in Serbia.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 27, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Black Stars defender Jerome Opoku has completed a permanent move to Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir from Portuguese side Arouca. The Ghana international signed a three-year contract after Istanbul Basaksehir exercised the purchase option on his loan deal.
Opoku’s impressive performances during his loan spell convinced the club to secure his future in Turkey. The club announced, “A 3-year contract was signed with our player using the option of Jerome Opoku, whom we rented from the Portuguese club Arouca at the beginning of the 2023-2024 season with the option to purchase. We wish success to Jerome Opoku, who will continue his career as a valuable member of the Basaksehir family.”
The tall centre-back contributed four goals and one assist in 28 matches, helping Basaksehir secure a spot in European competitions next season. Opoku also made his Ghana debut in October last year against the United States and added more caps in friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda in March. However, he was not used in the World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic in June.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 27, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Former Ghanaian football captain and legend, Asamoah Gyan, is advocating for a strategic, long-term approach to rebuilding the Black Stars. He believes that maintaining 80% of the current squad over the next five years will lead the team to success.
This call to action follows Ghana’s morale-boosting victories against Mali and the Central African Republic, which have reignited their hopes for qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Prior to these wins, the team had been struggling, marked by an early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and a winless streak spanning seven games.
The return of coach Otto Addo on a long-term contract is seen as a positive development, but Gyan stresses that further efforts are needed. He emphasizes the importance of consistency and fostering a new generation of players.
“The team has given us hope,” Gyan stated on UTV. “They’ve lifted our spirits. We should approach each game with the goal of winning. We have quality players, it’s a young team, a new generation.”
Gyan also urged Ghanaians to manage their expectations and concentrate on nurturing this new squad. “We should temper our expectations and not dwell on past achievements,” he said. “Winning trophies would be a bonus, but our focus should be on development. If we can keep 80% of this team intact over the next five years, they have the potential to dominate.”
The 38-year-old, who retired from football in June 2023, holds the record for the most goals scored for the Black Stars, with a total of 51 goals.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 26, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian goalkeeper Joseph Anang has expressed his excitement about returning to St Patrick’s Athletic, emphasizing the club’s enthusiastic fan base and the clear vision outlined by manager Stephen Kenny as key factors in his decision.
Anang, who spent seven years with West Ham United, including loan spells, has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Irish club for the 2024/25 season. His previous six-month loan stint with St Patrick’s Athletic in 2022 left a lasting impression, influencing his choice to make the move permanent.
Reflecting on his return, Anang highlighted the warmth and support from the club’s fans during his initial tenure: “The love and backing from the supporters were incredible during my first stint here. That played a major role in my decision to return.”
Anang also discussed his discussions with club officials, particularly manager Stephen Kenny, which solidified his commitment: “I had a productive Zoom call with PJ [Pat Jennings] and the gaffer, Stephen Kenny, and their plans aligned perfectly with what I envision for my career. I feel confident that I’ll fit seamlessly into their style of play.”
Expressing his eagerness to contribute, Anang added, “I’m thrilled to finalize this deal and get back on the pitch. The supporters made me feel valued two years ago, making my return an easy decision.”
Anang’s reunion with St Patrick’s Athletic is anticipated to bolster the team significantly, with optimism high for a successful campaign in the League of Ireland Premier Division under Stephen Kenny’s guidance.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 26, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Royal Antwerp FC has officially announced the signing of experienced Ghanaian international Denis Odoi on a free transfer from Club Brugge.
Odoi, who made 39 appearances across various competitions for Brugge last season and scored three goals, returns to Belgium after spending over five years at English Premier League side Fulham FC, where he joined from KSC Lokeren in 2016.
The 36-year-old defender has signed a two-year contract with Royal Antwerp, bringing his versatility and expertise to bolster the squad.
His arrival is seen as a significant boost to RAFC’s young dressing room, offering invaluable experience and knowledge to the team. Known for his adaptability across different positions throughout his career, Odoi is poised to be a crucial asset for the squad.
RAFC’s management is excited about securing Odoi’s services, emphasizing his role in mentoring the club’s young players and contributing to their upcoming campaigns.
The signing of Odoi represents a strategic move by Royal Antwerp to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season, leveraging his wealth of experience and versatility for team success.
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