Francis Abu: Belgium Based Midfielder Makes Ghana Debut in Draw Against Uganda

Francis Abu: Belgium Based Midfielder Makes Ghana Debut in Draw Against Uganda

Lukman Mumuni
updated at March 27, 2024 at 3:59 AM
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  • Francis Abu has made his debut for the Black Stars
  • The Cercle Brugge midfielder featured against Uganda
  • The Black Stars shared the spoils with the Cranes

Cercle Brugge midfielder Francis Abu has been handed his Ghana debut after starting in the friendly against Uganda on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old impressed and lasted over an hour before he was replaced in the second half of the 2-2 draw with the Cranes in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Abu combined well with RC Lens midfielder Abdul Samed Salis and offered Black Stars coach Otto Addo an option in the middle of the park.

Francis Abu, Ghana, Black Stars, Cercle Brugge
Francis Abu in action for the Black Stars against Uganda in a friendly. Credit: @GhanaBlackstars
Source: Twitter

The former FC Nordsjaelland midfielder was a late inclusion to the squad following the withdrawal of West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus, as reported by My Joy Online.

His performance will give the gaffer second thoughts when naming his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic in June, per US Soccerway.

Meanwhile, after an electric start to the game, the Black Stars opened the scoring through Jerome Opoku.

However, Uganda responded halfway into the first half through Ghana-based forward Steven Dese Mukwala.

Just before half time, Jordan Ayew restored Ghana's lead after converting from the spot.

With eight minutes left, Shaban Muhammed pounced on a cross to level for Uganda.

Opoku scores debut Ghana goal

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that 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.

Ghana held by Uganda in friendly

Sports Brief also reported that Ghana's winless run continued after the Black Stars were held to a pulsating 2-2 draw by Uganda in an international friendly in Morocco.

Goals from Jerome Opoku and Jordan Ayew were cancelled by Steven Mukwala and Shaban Muhammad as the two sides shared the spoils.

The Black Stars got off to a brilliant start after Opoku rose high to head home from a Jordan Ayew corner kick after just six minutes.

Authors
Lukman Mumuni photo
Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.