Francis Apelete Amuzu (born 23 August 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Belgian Pro League club Anderlecht. Born in Ghana, Amuzu represents Belgium internationally.
.jpg) Amuzu at Anderlecht in 2021 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Francis Apelete Amuzu[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 23 August 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | Accra, Ghana | ||
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Anderlecht | ||
| Number | 7 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| SK Heffen | |||
| Mechelen | |||
| –2015 | JMG Academy Lier | ||
| 2015–2017 | Anderlecht | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017– | Anderlecht | 197 | (25) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2017–2018 | Belgium U19 | 7 | (2) |
| 2018–2020 | Belgium U21 | 14 | (2) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13 October 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 8 June 2023 | |||
Professional career
editBorn in Ghana, Amuzu moved to Belgium at an early age and played for the youth teams of SK Heffen, Mechelen and JMG Academy Lier.[2] He signed his first professional contract on 23 August 2015 with R.S.C. Anderlecht for 3 years.[3] He made his professional debut for Anderlecht in a 1–0 Belgian First Division A win over K.A.S. Eupen on 22 December 2017, scoring his side's game-winning goal on his debut.[4] He pledged his international football to Belgium national team.[5]
On 20 September 2018, He made his debut in the European Competitions in a UEFA Europa League match against Spartak Trnava.[6]
He made his 50th league appearance for Anderlecht on 12 September 2019, in a Jupiler Pro League match against Sporting Charleroi.
He made his 100th league appearance for Anderlecht in a Jupiler Pro League match against Sint-Truidense V.V.
On 27 August 2023, Amuzu scored the winning goal in a Jupiler Pro League match against Sporting Charleroi. He then scored from outside the box a week later, in a 1-1 draw against K.R.C. Genk, on 3 September 2023.
On 7 October 2023, he scored in the match against KV Mechelen which honoured club icon Paul Van Himst on his 80th birthday.[7][8]
On 28 november 2024, Amuzu scored a stunning late equaliser against FC Porto in a UEFA Europa League league phase match, after he came on as a substitute for Samuel Edozie in the 60th minute. Amuzu was heavily praised by the Portuguese press after playing a good game. [9]
Career statistics
edit- As of match played 29 December 2020
| Club | Season | League | National Cup[a] | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Anderlecht | 2017–18 | First Division A | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| 2018–19 | First Division A | 30 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4[b] | 0 | 35 | 1 | |
| 2019–20 | First Division A | 20 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | 21 | 3 | ||
| 2020–21 | First Division A | 35 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — | 39 | 2 | ||
| 2021–22 | First Division A | 37 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 46 | 10 | |
| 2022–23 | First Division A | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 2 | |
| Career total | 138 | 18 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 160 | 19 | ||
- ^ Includes the Belgian Cup
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
—
References
edit- ^ "Amuzu, Francis Apelete Amuzu - Footballer".
- ^ "Tedesco duwt Amuzu naar Ghana" [Tedesco pushes Amuzu to Ghana]. Voetbalbelgie.be (in Dutch). 22 March 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ "Sensational Ghanaian teenager Francis Amuzu pens three-year Anderlecht professional contract". social_image.
- ^ "Anderlecht boekt glansloze overwinning dankzij debuterende Amuzu". Archived from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
- ^ "Anderlecht star Francis Amuzu picks Belgium over Ghana". Graphic Online. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ^ "Game report by UEFA".
- ^ "Kippenvel:Anderlecht viert 80e verjaardag van Paul Van Himst op indrukwekkende wijze" [Goosebumps: Anderlecht celebrates Paul Van Himst's 80th birthday in an impressive way]. Nieuwsblad.be (in Dutch). 7 October 2023.
- ^ ""Mooiste doelpunt uit mijn carrière":Amuzu zet met wereldgoal orgelpunt op feestavond in" [“The most beautiful goal of my career”: Amuzu caps off the celebration with a stunning goal.]. hln.be (in Dutch). 7 October 2023.
- ^ "Portugese pers met complimenten voor Anderlecht en Amuzu". voetbalprimeur (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 November 2024.