Michael Sarpong (born 10 January 1996) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Sekhukhune United.[1]

Michael Sarpong
Personal information
Date of birth (1996-01-10) 10 January 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth Ghana
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Sekhukhune United
Number 38
Youth career
2012–2014 Liberty Professionals
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015 Liberty Professionals
2016–2018 Dreams
2018–2020 Rayon Sport
2020–2021 Young Africans
2021–2022 Al-Nahda
2024– Sekhukhune United 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 September 2021

He previously played for Ghanaian club Dreams, Rwandan team Rayon Sport and Tanzanian team Young Africans.[2][3]

Early life edit

Sarpong grew up in Mamprobi,[4] a suburb of Accra in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana known for producing talented sportsmen including former Ghana national team captain Stephen Appiah, Peter Ofori-Quaye and former boxing world champion Azumah Nelson.[5][6][7] He began playing football at an early age and played at the colts’ level Indafa Park. He joined Gaddafi FC began training with club. During that period he saw football as a hobby rather a future professional career. He dreamed of being an architect in future.[8]

Career edit

Dreams edit

Sarpong started his career playing for the youth side of Dansoman-based club Liberty Professionals.[9] He later joined Ghana Premier League side Dreams FC.[10] In the club's debut season in the Ghana Premier League, the 2016 Ghanaian Premier League he played 15 league matches and scored 4 goals to help the club finish in the 9th position. Unfortunately the club was demoted by the Ghana Football Association’s Disciplinary Committee to the Ghana Division One League in December 2016 due to an anomaly with the registration of a player. The following year, he played a key role in helping them to win the Division One League Zone II and return to the Ghana Premier League.[4]

Rayon Sport edit

In October 2018, he secured a deal to Rwandan side Rayon Sport. In his debut season, the 2018–19 season, he scored 23 goals in all competitions with 16 league goals helping the club to secure their ninth Rwanda National Football League title. He also scored 6 goals in the Rwandan Cup.[11][9] Due to his impressive performances with the season he finished the season as the club's top goal scorer and he was voted as the Rayon Sport best player of the season.[12][13]

Young Africans edit

In August 2020, he was signed by Tanzanian club Young Africans on a free transfer after he mutually terminated his contract Rayon Sport in April.[14][15] He reportedly signed a two-year $50,000 contract.[16] The signing made him the second Ghanaian to join the club during the transfer window joining Moro Lamine.[17] He scored his first goal on his competitive debut for Yanga in scoring the equalizer in a 1–1 draw against Tanzania Prisons SC on the opening week of the Tanzanian Premier League.[18] After an initial goal drought in the first four matches of the league, he scored 2 goals in 8 matches by the end of November and was seen as the club's biggest attacking threat.[19][20]

Al-Nahda edit

On 29 August 2021, Sarpong joined Al-Nahda on a free transfer, signing a one-year contract with Saudi Arabian club.[21]

AS Kigali edit

In February 2022, Sarpong signed a three-month deal with Rwandan Premier League club AS Kigali. He scored two goals within his short-term contract whilst helping them to clinch the Rwandan Cup, known as the Peace Cup for the fourth time in the club's history. He was an unused substitute in the final though he became an important figure in the second round of the season for the Kigali based club en route to the Peace Cup glory.[22]

Personal life edit

Sarpong owns a foundation, named Michael Sarpong Foundation, which seeks to cater for needy especially orphans in Ghana.[23][24] He idolises former French international Theirry Henry.[8]

Honours edit

Dreams

Rayon Sport

Young Africans

AS Kigali

Individual

References edit

  1. ^ Michael Sarpong at Soccerway
  2. ^ "Michael Sarpong: Meet The Ghanaian Goal-Machine Dominating The Rwandan Premier League". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  3. ^ "Sarpong: My time to score goals for Yanga SC has now arrived". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  4. ^ a b "Anas exposé forced me to join Rwandan league - Michael Sarpong". GhanaWeb. 2021-02-06. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  5. ^ "Accra Great Olympics Grab Budding Left Winger Arnold Abbey-Mensah". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  6. ^ Kapoor, Daraja Jr. (2020-10-03). "Arnold Abbey-Mensah relishing challenge at Great Olympics". Football Made In Ghana. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  7. ^ "Aspire Football at Indafa Park". GhanaWeb. 2013-09-16. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  8. ^ a b "Michael Sarpong: Meet the Ghanaian goal-machine dominating the Rwandan Premier League". Pulse Ghana. 2019-03-04. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  9. ^ a b "Ghanaian Striker Michael Sarpong Seals Transfer To Young Africans SC". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  10. ^ "Donkomi: Michael Sarpong joins Tanzanian side Young Africans SC". Citi Sports Online. 2020-08-21. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  11. ^ "Rayon Sport sack striker Sarpong". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  12. ^ Arthur, Portia (2019-08-10). "Ghanaian player Michael Sarpong voted player of the year at Rayon Sports in Rwanda". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  13. ^ Gyimah, Edmund Okai (2019-08-10). "Ghana's Sarpong elated with Rayon player of the season award". Dailymailgh. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  14. ^ "Tanzanian giants Young Africans SC snap up Ghanaian forward Michael Sarpong". Sports Afric. 2020-08-21. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  15. ^ Darkwah, Frank (2020-08-21). "Tanzanian giants Young Africans announce Michael Sarpong signing". Ghana Sports Online. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  16. ^ "PHOTOS: Michael Sarpong arrives in Tanzania to sign for Yanga SC". Footy-GHANA.com. 2020-08-21. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  17. ^ "Faida, athari Panga pangua Yanga". Mwanaspoti (in Swahili). 12 August 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  18. ^ Gbordzor, Promise (2020-09-06). "Michael Sarpong opens scoring account with Yanga in league opener". Football Made In Ghana. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  19. ^ "Sarpong: I will be ready 'to do my stuff' for Yanga SC against Simba SC | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  20. ^ "Kaze: Sarpong will score many goals for Yanga SC when he hits form | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  21. ^ "Former Dreams FC striker Michael Sarpong joins Al Nahda in Saudi Arabia". 29 August 2021.
  22. ^ "Ghanaian striker Michael Sarpong wins Peace Cup with AS Kigali". 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  23. ^ "Michael Sarpong Foundation donates to Royal Seed Orphanage". Pulse Ghana. 2021-02-02. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  24. ^ Osman, Abdul Wadudu (2021-01-27). "Young Africans forward Michael Sarpong donates to Royal Seed orphanage Home". Football Made In Ghana. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  25. ^ "From demotion to promotion - The story of Dreams FC". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  26. ^ "Dreams FC gain promotion to Ghana Premier League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  27. ^ "Ghana's Michael Sarpong extremely excited after winning debut Rwanda Premier League title with Rayon Sports FC | SportsWorldGhana". 2019-06-04. Retrieved 2021-08-15.
  28. ^ "IN PICTURES: AS Kigali crowned 2022 Peace Cup champions". The New Times | Rwanda. 2022-06-29. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  29. ^ "Ghanaian player Michael Sarpong voted player of the year at Rayon Sports in Rwanda". GhanaSoccernet. 2019-08-10. Retrieved 2021-08-15.

External links edit