Black Stars youngster Fatawu Issahaku powered Sporting CP U-19 to a convincing 5-1 victory over Ajax U19 in the knockout stage of the UEFA Youth League at the CGD Stadium Aurélio Pereira in Portugal.
The 18-year-old has struggled to break into Sporting CP’s senior team, missing their last four games, but he took the UEFA Youth League by storm, scoring a hattrick in his first match for the Youth team.
The former Dreams FC player received a pass from Samuel Carvalho on the right flank, calmed it down and took on his marker with his favourite left foot before curling it into the top corner of the far post in the 36th minute to give Sporting the lead.
🇬🇭 Fatawu Issahaku just scored this goal for Sporting U19s in the UEFA Youth League against Ajax.
The cut-in and shoot finish is becoming a trademark. 💫pic.twitter.com/I2oCfzk13O
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) March 1, 2023
In the 73rd minute, he doubled the lead before adding his third and the team’s fourth six minutes later.
🇬🇭 Fatawu Issahaku wraps up his first UEFA Youth League hattrick with a carbon copy of the first goal. 🔥⚽️
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) March 1, 2023
Despite only playing one game, Issahaku is now Sporting CP U-19’s joint top scorer in the competition and will relish the opportunity to gain regular playing time with the senior team.
He would also be hoping for a call-up from Black Stars head coach Chris Houghton, who is preparing to name his first-ever squad ahead of Ghana’s AFCON qualifier against Angola.
