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Afriyie Acquah

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Afriyie Acquah
Acquah with Ghana in 2015
Personal information
Full name Afriyie Acquah
Date of birth (1992-01-05) 5 January 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
0000–2005 Goldfields
2005–2008 Glentoran
2008–2009 Mine Stars
2009 Bechem United
2009–2010 D.C. United Agogo
2010–2011 Palermo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Palermo 31 (0)
2012–2013 → Parma (loan) 13 (0)
2013–2015 1899 Hoffenheim 0 (0)
2013–2015 → Parma (loan) 41 (1)
2015 → Sampdoria (loan) 10 (1)
2015–2018 Torino 71 (5)
2018–2019 Empoli 28 (2)
2019–2021 Yeni Malatyaspor 60 (3)
2021–2022 Al-Batin 8 (0)
2023 Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
2023-2024 Chitwan 8 (0)
International career
2012–2021 Ghana 39 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Afriyie Acquah (/æˈfriːi æxˈwɑː/ af-REE-ee akh-WAH; born 5 January 1992) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.[1][2]

Early life

[edit]

He speaks Italian, having learnt from his private tutor since he moved to Italy in 2010 and has a brother.[3] Acquah said he had chosen shirt 94 in dedication to his mother, who was involved in a car accident and survived that year.[4]

Club career

[edit]

Early career

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Born in Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana,[5] Acquah began his career at Glentoran Football Academy in Sunyani, Ghana, which was established by Christopher Forsythe an Irish National from Sunyani.[6] During his Glentoran career, Acquah was awarded "Best Ghanaian Midfielder Under-14".[7]

He later transferred to Bechem United as the Northern Irish club was unable to sign him, due to work permit issues, despite travelling with Christopher Forsythe to Belfast to train with the first team.[8] In April 2009, he played for Bechem United against Italian club Empoli.[9]

Palermo

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On 1 February 2010, Palermo signed Acquah from Ghanaian club D.C. United Agogo for free,[10] but €500,000 agent fee went to SCMG Sport Consulting & Management GmbH.[11] Palermo was fined by FIGC as it violated the third-party ownership rule in April 2012. FIGC found that Acquah had signed a contract with the agent in June 2009 as he was unable to join any club aboard until he turned 18.[12]

After choosing the number 94 shirt,[4] Acquah made his Palermo debut, coming on as a substitute for Giulio Migliaccio in the 32nd minute, in a 4–2 loss against Fiorentina on 13 February 2011.[13] After making four appearances by the start of April, Acquah signed a five-year contract, keeping him until 2016.[14]

Parma (loan)

[edit]

On 16 July 2012, Palermo announced to have loaned Acquah to Serie A rivals Parma for €100,000;[15][16] the agreement also includes an option for Parma to acquire half of the player's transfer rights by the end of the season.[17]

Hoffenheim

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In January 2013 moved to German Bundesliga club Hoffenheim for €2.5 million fee on a four-year deal [15][18] but he was not given any opportunity to play a single match until the end of the 2012–13 season.[19]

Return to Parma (loan)

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In July 2013, he returned to Parma on a season-long loan deal and won his place back, finishing 27 league appearances in the 2013–14 season. During the season, Acquah scored his first professional goal of his career, in a 4–2 loss against Roma on 2 April 2014.[20] Subsequently, the loan was extended for another year.[21][22]

Sampdoria (loan)

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In February 2015, his loan spell at Parma was terminated early and he moved to fellow Serie A side Sampdoria, again on loan.[23] He made his Sampdoria debut, playing 90 minutes, in a 2–1 loss against Chievo.[24]

Torino

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On 19 June 2015, he was signed by Torino on a four-year contract.[25]

Empoli

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On 17 August 2018, Acquah signed with Serie A team Empoli.[26]

Yeni Malatyaspor

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On 23 August 2019, after his contract with Empoli ended, Acquah joined Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor on a two-year contract with the option to extend for an extra year.[27][28] After playing for a year, he was appointed as the deputy captain of the club and given his favourite number 6 jersey.[29]

Al Batin

[edit]

On 22 June 2021, Acquah signed a two-year deal with Saudi Arabian club Al Batin FC as a free agent after his contract with Yeni Malatyaspor expired.[2] He was released on 1 January 2022.[30]

Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya

[edit]

On 1 February 2023, Acquah joined Iraqi club Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya.[31]

International career

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On 26 February 2012, Acquah was called up to the Ghana squad to face Chile.[32] Acquah made his senior Ghana debut against Chile on 29 February 2012, at the PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA.[33] On 13 October 2012, in Civo Stadium, Lilongwe he scored a goal for Ghana against Malawi.[34]

In May 2014, Acquah was named in a provisional 26-man squad in the FIFA World Cup by Ghana manager James Kwesi Appiah.[35] On 2 June 2014, Acquah was selected in Ghana's squad for the 2014 tournament.[36] Acquah made his World Cup debut, coming on as a substitute for Mohammed Rabiu in the 76th minute, in a 2–1 loss against Portugal.[37]

He went to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 Equatorial Guinea, where Ghana reached the final and lost to the Ivory Coast 9–8 on penalties after a 0–0 draw. Acquah was the Man of the Match but missed his penalty.

Style of play

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A strong, talented and tenacious player, Acquah usually plays as a defensive midfielder in front of the defence, due to his pace, physicality, stamina and abilities as a ball-winner.[38][39][40] Although he is primarily known for his defensive coverage, he is a versatile player, who can play anywhere in midfield; he has also been used in more advanced roles, or as a central midfielder, where he is capable of helping his team both offensively and defensively due to his work-rate, composure, temperament, consistency, and ability to make attacking runs into the opposition's penalty area.[38][39][41][42][43][44] Despite his lack of particularly notable technical skills, he has also been used as a deep-lying playmaker on occasion, due to his solid first touch, ability to set the tempo of his team's play and subsequently start attacking plays with long balls after winning back possession.[38][45][46] Although naturally right-footed, he is capable of striking or passing the ball well with either foot.[39] His precocious performances as youngster and energetic playing style in midfield have drawn comparisons with compatriot Michael Essien.[39]

Career statistics

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Club

[edit]
As of match played 26 May 2019[47]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Palermo 2010–11 Serie A 11 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
2011–12 Serie A 20 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 23 0
Total 31 0 4 0 2 0 — 37 0
Parma (loan) 2012–13 Serie A 13 0 0 0 — — 13 0
1899 Hoffenheim 2012–13 Bundesliga 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
Parma 2013–14 Serie A 27 1 1 0 — — 28 1
2014–15 Serie A 14 0 0 0 — — 14 0
Total 54 1 1 0 — — 55 1
Sampdoria 2014–15 Serie A 10 1 — — — 10 1
Torino 2015–16 Serie A 29 2 2 1 — — 31 3
2016–17 Serie A 20 2 2 0 — — 22 2
2017–18 Serie A 22 1 4 0 — — 26 1
Total 71 5 8 1 — — 79 6
Empoli 2018–19 Serie A 28 2 0 0 — — 28 2
Career total 194 9 13 1 2 0 0 0 209 10

International

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As of 25 March 2021[48]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Ghana 2012 3 1
2013 0 0
2014 5 0
2015 11 0
2016 5 0
2017 6 0
2018 3 0
2019 3 0
2020 2 0
2021 1 0
Total 39 1

Honors

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Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya

Ghana

References

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  1. ^ "Afriyie Acquah: Streets of Ghana to the World Cup - via Glentoran". BBC Sport. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 27 March 2014.
  2. ^ a b Osman, Abdul Wadudu (22 June 2021). "Midfielder Afriyie Acquah complete move to Saudi Arabian club Al Batin FC". Football Made In Ghana. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Il Palermo ha il suo "Essien"Acquah nota positiva del ko coi viola" (in Italian). Corriere Del Mezzogiorno. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  4. ^ a b "GRINTA ACQUAH: "HO GIA' IL ROSA NEL CUORE"" (in Italian). U.S. Città di Palermo. 12 April 2011. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  5. ^ "Afriyie Acquah - Profilo giocatore - Calcio". Eurosport (in Italian). Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Glentoran helped African street child reach Serie A". BBC. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  7. ^ "Palermo, scopriamo il ghanese Acquah" (in Italian). TuttoPalermo.net. 23 February 2010. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  8. ^ "Afriyie Acquah to Arsenal?". Glentoran FC. 16 December 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  9. ^ "Bechem Utd. makes Ghana proud…Face Empoli today … In Trofeo Nereo Rocco semis". Modernghana.com. 30 April 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  10. ^ "Ultimi movimenti di mercato per i rosa" (in Italian). U.S. Città di Palermo. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  11. ^ U.S. Città di Palermo S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2010 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.
  12. ^ "Comunicato Ufficiale N°90/CDN (2011–12)" (PDF) (in Italian). Commissione Disciplinare Nazionale (CDN) of FIGC. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  13. ^ "Festa viola a Palermo Fiorentina, 4-2 in rimonta". Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). 13 February 2011. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  14. ^ "Il Palermo blinda Acquah". U.S. Città di Palermo. 12 April 2011. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  15. ^ a b U.S. Città di Palermo S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2013 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.
  16. ^ Parma F.C. S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2013 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.
  17. ^ "ACQUAH IN PRESTITO AL PARMA" [ACQUAH ON LOAN TO PARMA] (in Italian). US Città di Palermo. 16 July 2012. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  18. ^ "ACQUAH CEDUTO ALL'HOFFENHEIM" [ACQUAH MOVED TO HOFFENHEIM] (in Italian). US Città di Palermo. 24 January 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  19. ^ "Hoffenheim leiht aussortierten Acquah nach Parma aus" [Hoffenheim loans sorted out Acquah to Parma] (in German). sportal.de. 22 July 2013. Archived from the original on 24 July 2013.
  20. ^ "El Roma venció al Parma (4-2) en el partido aplazado" (in Italian). AS.com. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  21. ^ "Afriyie Acquah remains at Parma". Parma FC. 28 June 2014. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. ^ "Acquah spielt weiter für den FC Parma - Advíncula bleibt in Lima" [Acquah continues playing for FC Parma - Advíncula stays in Lima]. 1899 Hoffenheim. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  23. ^ "Acquah an Sampdoria weiter verliehen" [Acquah loaned further to Sampdoria] (in German). Kicker. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  24. ^ "Chievo-Sampdoria 2-1, punti d'oro per Maran" (in Italian). Repubblica.it. 15 February 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  25. ^ "Acquah al Toro" (in Italian). Torino F.C. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  26. ^ "UFFICIALE: Torino, ceduto Acquah all'Empoli a titolo definitivo". Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  27. ^ "PHOTOS: Afriyie Acquah joins Turkish outfit Yeni Malatyaspor". GhanaSoccernet. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  28. ^ Zurek, Kweku (23 August 2019). "Free agent Afriyie Acquah joins Yeni Malatyaspor in €1.8m deal". Graphic Online. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  29. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Afriyie Acquah appointed deputy captain at Turkish side Yeni Malatyaspor". GhanaSoccernet. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  30. ^ "الباطن يفسخ عقد "أكوا"". 24 December 2021.
  31. ^ "القوة الجوية يتعاقد مع لاعبين أفريقيين".
  32. ^ "Black Stars squad named for Chile friendly". ghanafa.org. Ghana Football Association. 26 February 2012. Archived from the original on 25 November 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  33. ^ "Chile 1 – 1 Ghana". ESPN. 29 February 2012. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  34. ^ "Malawi vs Ghana LIVE Commentary". Goal.com. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  35. ^ "World Cup 2014: Jeffery Schlupp selected in 26-man squad". BBC Sport. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  36. ^ "Ghana World Cup 2014 squad". The Telegraph. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  37. ^ "FIFA World Cup Match Report: Portugal 2 – 1 Ghana". FIFA.com. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 28 June 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  38. ^ a b c Federico Bosio (30 September 2016). "Torino, torna a disposizione Acquah: importante variabile di peso in mediana" (in Italian). Toro News. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  39. ^ a b c d Salvatore Lo Iacono (16 February 2011). "Il Palermo ha il suo "Essien" Acquah nota positiva del ko coi viola" (in Italian). Il Corriere del Mezzogiorno. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  40. ^ Salvatore Lo Iacono (11 January 2011). "La Samp in pressing su Maccarone Acquisti, ora si guarda a Shaqiri" (in Italian). Il Corriere del Mezzogiorno. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  41. ^ Alessandro Buttitta (11 February 2010). "Palermo, segnali positivi da Acquah" (in Italian). TuttoPalermo.net. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  42. ^ Luca Calamai (14 February 2011). "MUNOZ IN CONFUSIONE, BEHRAMI È UN GIGANTE. LJAJIC CAMBIA LA PARTITA". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  43. ^ Giuseppe Nigliaccio (26 November 2010). "Piccoli campioni crescono.. Ecco i migliori giovani del Palermo presto in prima squadra" (in Italian). TuttoPalermo.net. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  44. ^ Maria Concetta Casales (1 August 2010). "Palermo, Acquah: un talento a disposizione di Rossi" (in Italian). TuttoPalermo.net. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  45. ^ Salvatore Affronti (23 February 2010). "Palermo, scopriamo il ghanese Acquah" (in Italian). TuttoPalermo.net. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  46. ^ Alessio D' Urso (19 July 2010). "Tecnica e gol Il Palermo scopre Kasami". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  47. ^ Afriyie Acquah at Soccerway
  48. ^ Afriyie Acquah at National-Football-Teams.com
  49. ^ Hughes, Ian (8 February 2015). "Ivory Coast 0–0 Ghana". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
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