Jerome Opoku: Turkey Based Ghana Defender Scores Debut Black Stars Goal Against Uganda

• Jerome Opoku has registered his first Ghana Black Stars goal
• The Turkey-based defender opened the scoring against Uganda
• The Black Stars are preparing ahead of June's World Cup qualifiers

Istanbul Basaksehir defender Jerome Opoku has netted his first goal for the Black Stars of Ghana as they take the lead against Uganda in an international friendly in Morocco.

The towering centre-back was making his third appearance for the national team after featuring in the friendlies against the United States and Nigeria.

The England-born defender made his debut in the 4-0 thrashing of Ghana by the USA in October last year but missed the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

He was recalled to the squad by new coach Otto Addo, who is rebuilding a new team ahead of June's World Cup qualifiers.

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In a video shared on social media, the towering defender rose high to head home from a corner kick from Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew after just six minutes.

The Cranes were quickly awoken from their slumber as they started to pile pressure on the Ghanaians.

Halfway through the first half, Uganda won a penalty after defender Ebenezer Annan impeded Fahad Bayo.

Asante Kotoko striker Steven Dese Mukwala made no mistake from the spot as Uganda levelled.

The Black Stars responded moments later after Jordan Ayew converted from the spot following a foul on Dennis Odoi.

The Black Stars will face Mali and the Central African Republic in June when the World Cup qualifiers return, per US Soccerway.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Black Stars coach Otto Addo insists Ghana will not underestimate Uganda ahead of their international friendly on Tuesday in Marrakech, Morocco.

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The four-time African champions will engage the Cranes as part of preparations ahead of the return of the World Cup qualifiers in June.

Ghana lost to arch-rivals Nigeria on Friday and will hope to bounce back against Uganda on Tuesday.