Accra, Ghana – Ghanaian football fans received a major boost over the weekend as several Black Stars made significant impacts across Europe’s top leagues, headlined by the long-awaited return of star midfielder Mohammed Kudus and a stunning hat-trick from striker Kwaku Karikari in Serbia.
Kudus Returns to Action for Tottenham
In the Premier League, Mohammed Kudus made his first appearance for Tottenham Hotspur in seven months, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute in their 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday . The 26-year-old had been sidelined since January 4, 2026, after suffering a quadriceps injury against Sunderland, which was further complicated by a setback in April .
His extended absence saw him miss a staggering 25 matches for Spurs and ruled him out of Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign . Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi had hinted at Kudus’s return during the week, and while the midfielder could not prevent the loss, his comeback is a welcome sight for both his club and the national team . Kudus will now look to build his fitness and regain his sharpness after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines .
Karikari’s Career-First Hat-Trick in Serbia
In the Serbian Super Liga, Kwaku Karikari produced a memorable performance for Zeleznicar Pancevo, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist in a resounding 5-1 victory over Radnik Surdulica . Coming off the bench, Karikari took control of the game in the second half, scoring in the 61st, 72nd, and 90th minutes to seal his first career hat-trick .
The 25-year-old attacker expressed his joy after the match, dedicating his goals to his family and God and emphasizing his strong connection to Pancevo . The result was a huge confidence boost for Zeleznicar, who now look ahead to their next fixture .
Gideon Mensah Makes Bundesliga Debut
Gideon Mensah made his debut for FC Köln in the German Bundesliga, contributing to their 3-2 win over Hoffenheim .
Other Notable Performances Across the Globe
Several other Ghanaian players impressed in their respective leagues over the weekend:
· England: In the Championship, Joseph Opoku scored his second goal for Swansea City as they beat Derby County 3-0 . Fatawu Issahaku registered an assist for Ipswich Town in their 5-2 loss to Manchester United . Tariq Lamptey made an immediate impact for QPR in their comeback win over Blackburn .
· USA: In the MLS, Joseph Paintsil played the full 90 minutes for LA Galaxy in their 3-1 loss to San Diego, while Prince Owusu was in action for CF Montreal in their heavy 7-1 defeat to Inter Miami .
· Serbia: The Ghanaian duo of Sadick Abubakar and Emmanuel Quarshie were also in action for Radnik Surdulica in their 5-1 loss to Karikari’s Zeleznicar .
· Israel: Samuel Owusu found the back of the net for Maccabi Petah Tikva in their 2-1 win over Sakhnin .
Black Stars Spotlight
The performances highlight the depth of Ghanaian talent abroad, particularly the return of key figures like Kudus who will be crucial for the national team’s future campaigns. With players like Karikari staking a claim and young talents such as Mensah making their debuts, the pipeline of Ghanaian footballers competing at the highest level remains strong .
