Black Stars centre-back Jerome Opoku was full of joy after netting a dramatic late winner that secured European football for Istanbul Basaksehir next season. The 26-year-old defender converted a rebound from his own missed penalty to seal a thrilling 3-2 win over Kasimpasa on Sunday.
The win guarantees Basaksehir a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League, capping off a strong campaign for the Istanbul club.
Sharing his excitement after the game, Opoku took to social media with a jubilant post: “Europe. Bravo Takım! Nice to score the winner.”
Since his move from Portuguese side Arouca, the former Fulham defender has become a key figure in Basaksehir’s backline. This season, Opoku has contributed three goals and two assists across 31 league appearances, underlining his growing influence on the pitch.
Looking ahead, the England-born Ghanaian is expected to be named in Ghana’s squad for the upcoming Unity Cup in London. The Black Stars will take on Nigeria on May 28 at the Gtech Community Stadium in West London.
Opoku was also impressive in Ghana’s 3-0 win over Madagascar during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March, reinforcing his role as a dependable option in the national setup.
