Afriyie Acquah

Afriyie Acquah (/æˈfriːi æxˈwɑː/ af-REE-ee akh-WAH; born 5 January 1992) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor and the Ghana national team.[1]

Afriyie Acquah
Personal information
Full name Afriyie Acquah
Date of birth (1992-01-05) 5 January 1992
Place of birth Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Yeni Malatyaspor
Number 6
Youth career
Goldfields
2005–2008 Glentoran
2008–2009 Mine Stars
2009 Bechem United
2009–2010 D.C. United F.C.
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– Yeni Malatyaspor 37 (2)
National team‡
2012– Ghana 36 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11:55, 6 December 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11:16, 15 July 2019 (UTC)

Early life

He speaks Italian, having learnt from his private tutor since he moved to Italy in 2010 and has a brother.[2] Acquah said he had chosen shirt 94 in dedication of his mother, who was involved a car accident and survived that year.[3]

Club career

Early career

Born in Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana,[4] Acquah began his career in Glentoran Football Academy in Sunyani, Ghana, which established by Christopher Forsythe an Irish National from Sunyani.[5] During his Glentoran's career, Acquah was awarded as "Best Ghanaian midfielder's Under-14".[6]

He later transferred to Bechem United as the Northern Irish club unable to sign him, due to work permit issues, despite travelling with Christopher Forsythe to Belfast to train with the first team.[7] In April 2009, he played for Bechem United against Italian club Empoli.[8]

Palermo

On 1 February 2010, Palermo signed Acquah from D.C. United of Ghana[9] for free, but €500,000 agent fee went to SCMG Sport Consulting & Management GmbH.[10] 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.[11]

After choosing number 94 shirt,[3] Acquah made his Palermo debut, coming on as a substitute for Giulio Migliaccio in the 32nd minutes, in 4-2 loss against Fiorentina on 13 February 2011.[12] After making four appearance by the start of April, Acquah signed a five-year contract, keeping him until 2016.[13]

Parma (loan)

On 16 July 2012, Palermo announced to have loaned Acquah to Serie A rivals Parma for €100,000;[14][15] the agreement also includes an option for Parma to acquire half of the player's transfer rights by the end of the season.[16]

Hoffenheim

In January 2013 moved to German Bundesliga club Hoffenheim for €2.5 million fee on a four-year deal [14][17] but he was not given any opportunity to play a single match until the end of the 2012–13 season.[18]

Return to Parma (loan)

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.[19] Subsequently, the loan was extended for another year.[20][21]

Sampdoria (loan)

In February 2015, his loan spell at Parma was terminated early and he moved to fellow Serie A side Sampdoria, again on loan.[22] He made his Sampdoria debut, playing 90 minutes, in a 2–1 loss against Chievo.[23]

Torino

On 19 June 2015, he was signed by Torino on a four-year contract.[24]

Empoli

On 17 August 2018, Acquah signed with Serie A team Empoli.[25]

International career

On 26 February 2012, Acquah was called up to the Ghana squad to face Chile.[26] Acquah made his senior Ghana debut against Chile on 29 February 2012 at the PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA.[27] On 13 October 2012, in Civo Stadium, Lilongwe he scored a goal for Ghana against Malawi.[28]

In May 2014, Acquah was named in a provisional 26-man squad in the FIFA World Cup by Ghana manager James Kwesi Appiah.[29] On 2 June 2014, Acquah was selected in Ghana's squad for the 2014 tournament.[30] Acquah made his World Cup debut, coming on as a substitute for Mohammed Rabiu in the 76th minutes, in a 2–1 loss against Portugal.[31]

Style of play

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.[32][33][34] 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.[32][33][35][36][37][38] 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.[32][39][40] Although naturally right-footed, he is capable of striking or passing the ball well with either foot.[33] His precocious performances as youngster and energetic playing style in midfield have drawn comparisons with compatriot Michael Essien.[33]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 26 May 2019[41]
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Palermo 2010–11 Serie A 110300000140
2011–12 Serie A 200102000230
Total 3104020—370
Parma (loan) 2012–13 Serie A 13000——130
1899 Hoffenheim 2012–13 Bundesliga 0000——00
Parma 2013–14 Serie A 27110——281
2014–15 Serie A 14000——140
Total 54110——551
Sampdoria 2014–15 Serie A 101———101
Torino 2015–16 Serie A 29221——313
2016–17 Serie A 20220——222
2017–18 Serie A 22140——261
Total 71581——796
Empoli 2018–19 Serie A 28200——282
Career total 1949131200020910

International
As of 15 July 2019[42]
Ghana national team
YearAppsGoals
201231
201450
2015110
201650
201760
201830
201930
Total361

Honors

International

Ghana

References
  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. "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.
  3. "GRINTA ACQUAH: "HO GIA' IL ROSA NEL CUORE"" (in Italian). U.S. Città di Palermo. 12 April 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  4. "Afriyie Acquah - Profilo giocatore - Calcio". Eurosport (in Italian). Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  5. "Glentoran helped African street child reach Serie A". BBC. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  6. "Palermo, scopriamo il ghanese Acquah" (in Italian). TuttoPalermo.net. 23 February 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  7. "Afriyie Acquah to Arsenal?". Glentoran FC. 16 December 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  8. "Bechem Utd. makes Ghana proud…Face Empoli today … In Trofeo Nereo Rocco semis". Modernghana.com. 30 April 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  9. "Ultimi movimenti di mercato per i rosa" (in Italian). U.S. Città di Palermo. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  10. 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.
  11. "Comunicato Ufficiale N°90/CDN (2011–12)" (PDF) (in Italian). Commissione Disciplinare Nazionale (CDN) of FIGC. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  12. "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.
  13. "Il Palermo blinda Acquah". U.S. Città di Palermo. 12 April 2011. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. "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.
  17. "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.
  18. "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.
  19. "El Roma venció al Parma (4-2) en el partido aplazado" (in Italian). AS.com. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  20. "Afriyie Acquah remains at Parma". Parma FC. 28 June 2014. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  21. "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.
  22. "Acquah an Sampdoria weiter verliehen" [Acquah loaned further to Sampdoria] (in German). Kicker. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  23. "Chievo-Sampdoria 2-1, punti d'oro per Maran" (in Italian). Repubblica.it. 15 February 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  24. "Acquah al Toro" (in Italian). Torino F.C. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  25. "UFFICIALE: Torino, ceduto Acquah all'Empoli a titolo definitivo". Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  26. "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.
  27. "Chile 1 – 1 Ghana". soccernet.espn.go.com. ESPN. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  28. "Malawi vs Ghana LIVE Commentary". Goal.com. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  29. "World Cup 2014: Jeffery Schlupp selected in 26-man squad". BBC Sport. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  30. "Ghana World Cup 2014 squad". The Telegraph. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  31. "FIFA World Cup Match Report: Portugal 2 - 1 Ghana". FIFA.com. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  32. Federico Bosio (30 September 2016). "Torino, torna a disposizione Acquah: importante variabile di peso in mediana" (in Italian). Toro News. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  33. 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.
  34. 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.
  35. Alessandro Buttitta (11 February 2010). "Palermo, segnali positivi da Acquah" (in Italian). TuttoPalermo.net. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  36. 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.
  37. 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.
  38. Maria Concetta Casales (1 August 2010). "Palermo, Acquah: un talento a disposizione di Rossi" (in Italian). TuttoPalermo.net. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  39. Salvatore Affronti (23 February 2010). "Palermo, scopriamo il ghanese Acquah" (in Italian). TuttoPalermo.net. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  40. Alessio D' Urso (19 July 2010). "Tecnica e gol Il Palermo scopre Kasami". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  41. Afriyie Acquah at Soccerway
  42. Afriyie Acquah at National-Football-Teams.com
  43. Hughes, Ian (8 February 2015). "Ivory Coast 0–0 Ghana". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
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