The 8 Ghanaians to Score in FA Cup History After Fatawu Issahaku’s Wonder Goal for Leicester

Ghana international, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, fired Leicester City to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a remarkable extra-time goal, leading them to a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday night.

Fatawu's spectacular strike, which nestled into the top corner of the net, elevates him to an exclusive group of Ghanaian players who have scored in the prestigious competition.

The 'love affair' between the FA Cup and Ghana

The journey began with trailblazer Arthur Wharton, who debuted in the FA Cup as an amateur goalkeeper for Darlington in 1885, impressing with his exceptional skills.

According to Ghanaweb, his talent caught the eye of Preston North End, where he contributed to the team's FA Cup semi-final appearance in 1888–1887.

Since Wharton's era, several Ghanaian footballers have had the privilege of participating in this historic competition, which prides itself on shaping the professional landscape of football, igniting rivalries between clubs, and expanding the sport's global appeal.

On the back of this, Sports Brief highlights seven players from the football-loving West African nation who have etched their names on the FA Cup scoresheet throughout history after Fatawu netted his belter.

The 7 Ghanaians who have scored in FA Cup

Michael Essien

What can be said about Essien? The Bison stands as the most successful Ghanaian in the competition, clinching an impressive three titles. Interestingly, he boasts more trophies than goals in the FA Cup.

The iconic Chelsea midfielder holds the record for the most games played by a Ghanaian in the competition, totalling 20 appearances, and has also managed to score a goal.

Sulley Muntari

Muntari has a storied history in the FA Cup despite his limited number of games. With just four appearances, the resolute midfielder with a majestic left foot secured an FA Cup victory with Portsmouth while scoring a goal in the process. This triumph marked Pompey's first win in the prestigious cup competition since 1939, per Ghanafa.org.

Jordan Ayew

The Black Stars forward recently celebrated his 200th appearance for Crystal Palace, showcasing his enduring form with two goals in his last three matches, as noted by Pulse Ghana.

Jordan boasts several records for Ghanaians in English football, notably as the highest-scoring player from his country in the FA Cup.

His tally stands at three goals from 16 games, with two scored during his time with Swansea City in the 2017-18 campaign and one for his current club, Palace, in the 2018-19 season.

Jeffrey Schlupp

A name that may have slipped from memory is Schlupp, who stands out as one of the few Ghanaians to clinch the Premier League title during Leicester City's remarkable journey in the 2014–15 season.

He has tallied two goals from 18 appearances in the competition. The 31-year-old scored his first goal during the 2014–15 campaign with the Foxes. Three seasons later, he notched his second and sole goal to date while playing for Crystal Palace.

Antoine Semenyo

Semenyo, a recent favourite among Ghanaian football enthusiasts, earns a spot on this exclusive list with two goals from 13 matches, per Transfermarkt.

Both of his goals were scored during his tenure in the lower tiers of English football with Bristol City. Unfortunately, Antoine won't be able to increase his tally this season as Bournemouth was eliminated by Leicester.

Tony Yeboah

The retired Ghanaian striker enjoyed a brief yet memorable stint in England, where his penchant for scoring spectacular goals earned him the nickname 'Yegoala' from Leeds United fans. Despite playing in just five matches, he managed to find the net once.

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Tarique Fosu

While Schlupp might have faded from the memory of the average Ghanaian fan, Tarique Fosu is even less likely to be remembered.

Despite this, the four-time capped Black Stars player has managed to score two goals in 10 outings in the FA Cup. His first goal came during his time at Colchester United, followed by his second while playing for Oxford United.

Fatawu fires Leicester to FA Cup win

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Fatawu Isshaku propelled Leicester City into the quarter-finals of the English FA Cup with a stunning winner against AFC Bournemouth at Vitality Park.

Currently on loan from Sporting Lisbon, Isshaku has been in outstanding form for Leicester City as they pursue promotion to the Premier League. His goal against Bournemouth marked his debut in the FA Cup and proved instrumental in securing the win for the King Power outfit.