Ghanaian football continues to shine on the European stage, as Black Stars midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana stole the headlines with a spectacular match-winning goal that powered Italian side Atalanta to a 2-1 victory over AS Roma in a high-stakes Serie A clash on Monday night.
The 21-year-old, who hails from Ghana’s football-rich landscape, came off the bench in the 68th minute and announced his arrival in style—rifling home a breathtaking first-time effort from outside the box in the 76th minute to seal Atalanta’s qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Sulemana’s goal, his first for the club, not only marked a personal milestone but also signaled Ghana’s enduring influence in global football. His strike broke AS Roma’s impressive 19-match unbeaten run in Serie A, underscoring his clutch performance on a night of drama and destiny.
Atalanta had taken an early lead through Ademola Lookman, the Nigerian forward with strong African roots, in the 9th minute. Roma clawed back just before halftime with Bryan Cristante finding the net, but it was the Ghanaian midfielder who had the final say.
The Kumasi-born talent, who had logged only 121 minutes in Serie A before this fixture, made the most of his rare opportunity, showing composure, vision, and the technical quality that Ghana’s national team has come to rely on.
His goal sparked celebrations not just in Bergamo, but back home in Ghana, where football fans and pundits alike hailed his heroics as a sign of greater things to come for the Black Stars.
For Sulemana, this moment is more than a highlight—it’s a stepping stone. His journey from the pitches of Ghana to becoming a match-winner in one of Europe’s elite leagues exemplifies the potential of young Ghanaian talents when given the global stage.