Feb 25, GNA – Follow the Ghanaian footballers causing ripples in the play-offs for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League and Europa League, including Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ernest Poku, and Bernard Tekpetey.
European nights are where reputations are made, and in the 2025/26 play-off rounds of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, Ghana’s talent pipeline (and Ghana-eligible players abroad) is very much in the spotlight.
With the new knockout-phase play-off rounds determining who goes through to the next round, a few Ghanaian players have already made it through crucial first legs, or are ready to play starring roles as the ties unfold.
Below is an up-to-date round-up of the key names to watch, what they’ve done so far, and why these play-offs are important for their clubs, as well as Ghana’s football story.
Champions League play-offs: Ghanaian flair on the biggest stage
Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta) – Sub in Dortmund clash
Kamaldeen Sulemana cemented his place as one of the notable Ghanaian names on the Champions League stage, being involved for Atalanta in the first leg away to Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund took early charge, cruising to a 2-0 lead, but Sulemana came on late as Atalanta searched for a reply in the second half.
For Ghana fans, Sulemana’s involvement at this level is huge. It shows that he is being trusted in the higher-stakes European soccer fixtures where intensity, pressing, and transitional moments win or lose it all. With the second leg still to come, his pace and directness is one of Atalanta’s most realistic change-the-game weapons.
Why it matters: Champions League play-offs are essentially finals contested in two legs. Coaches are unlikely to gamble on passengers. Minutes here represent a pretty good indicator of status within the squad.
Ernest Poku (Bayer Leverkusen) – Used in a statement win
Another name to note is Ghanaian-born Ernest Poku, who started for Bayer Leverkusen in their play-off first leg away to Olympiacos. He was on the starting eleven for Leverkusen as they were fighting for control in unfriendly territory.
Leverkusen left Greece with a 2-0 advantage, which gave them a strong platform for the return leg. Poku’s selection in a match of this size is the type of unassuming nod of approval that can very often serve as a signal that a player is coming out of a rotation option and into a role of trusted contributor.
Why it matters: Ghana has a European footprint that isn’t limited to marquee names. It’s about new names establishing Champions League pedigree through starts and high-pressure roles.
Europa League play-offs: Ghanaian goals a genuine storyline
Bernard Tekpetey (Ludogorets) – The difference-maker to watch
In the Europa League knockout phase play-offs, one of the most influential forwards is Ghana international Bernard Tekpetey, who is involved at this stage. He is named amongst attacking options available to Ludogorets in their play-off tie against Ferencvaros.
This is not just a token squad mention. Tekpetey has been at the heart of Ludogorets’ attacking identity in recent seasons, the kind of player that can change the course of a tight European tie with one burst, one shot, one decisive action. With margins generally being razor-thin in Europa League knockouts, his presence is a real competitive advantage.
Why it matters: Europa League play-off games frequently hinge on moments from wide forwards and second strikers, the very spaces in which Tekpetey feels most at home when games are stretching out in the latter stages.
As the second leg approaches, Ghanaians will be watching out for:
Whether Sulemana makes a bigger part as Atalanta chase the tie.
Whether Poku retains his starting spot as Leverkusen protect or extend their advantage.
Whether Tekpetey manages to produce the sort of Europa League moment of his career.
Final thoughts
The presence of Ghanaian players in the Europa and Champions League play-offs underscores the ongoing impact of Ghanaian football talent on the world stage. From the hard-and-tested internationals to the up-and-coming stars proving their European credentials, the fixtures are a chance to test both ability and mindset on a high-pressure stage.
As the 2025/26 play-offs unfold, Ghana’s presence in Europe’s elite competitions remains a strong narrative, motivating the next generation back home while building the country’s reputation on the continental stage.