Frank Opoku Acheampong (born 16 October 1993 as Asante Mampong[2]) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Chinese Super League club Henan FC and the Ghana national team.[3]

Frank Acheampong
Acheampong with Ghana in 2015
Personal information
Full name Frank Opoku Acheampong[1]
Date of birth (1993-10-16) 16 October 1993 (age 31)[1]
Place of birth Asante Mampong, Ghana
Height 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Forward / Wing-back
Team information
Current team
Henan FC
Number 11
Youth career
2009–2010 King Faisal Babes
2010–2011 Berekum Chelsea
2011–2013 Buriram PEA
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Buriram PEA 56 (19)
2013Anderlecht (loan) 0 (0)
2013–2017 Anderlecht 116 (13)
2017Tianjin TEDA (loan) 12 (4)
2018–2020 Tianjin TEDA 74 (30)
2021–2023 Shenzhen FC 60 (18)
2024– Henan FC 20 (3)
International career
2012–2013 Ghana U20 5 (0)
2012–2018 Ghana 23 (2)
Medal record
Representing  Ghana
Men's football
Africa Cup of Nations
Runner-up 2015 Guinea
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23 July 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17:24, 26 June 2016 (UTC)

Youth career

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He started his career with Ghanaian side King Faisal Babes, under the direction of Romain Krider, his first coach. He was invited for trials by Sheikh Mansour, who owns the English side Manchester City, to his base in Abu Dhabi, to be observed by Al-Jazeera, the other club he owns.[4] In 2010, he was on trial for Croatian club NK Osijek but he couldn't obtain a work permit.

Club career

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Buriram United

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In February 2011, he joined Thai League T1 side Buriram United. After his impressive performance in Thai League T1, Acheampong was invited for a trial with Scottish club Celtic in December 2012.[5] In January 2013 Acheampong moved to Belgian club R.S.C. Anderlecht on a loan spell until the end of the 2012–2013 season.

R.S.C. Anderlecht

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On 16 April 2013, Acheampong signed for the Belgian champions R.S.C. Anderlecht for a fee of 1 million.[6] On 28 July, Acheampong made his first appearance for Anderlecht against KSC Lokeren; he came on in the 70th minute in a 2–3 loss. In the 4–1 win over KAA Gent, he came on in the 69th minute and scored his first goal in Belgium. On 17 September Acheampong made his first UEFA Champions League appearance against Benfica; he came on as a substitute in the 46th minute; it ended as a victory for Benfica.

Tianjin Teda

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On 13 July 2017, Anderlecht announced that Acheampong had joined Chinese Super League side Tianjin TEDA on a six-month loan deal.[7] He made his debut on 22 July 2017. He scored four goals in 12 appearances in the 2017 season which secured Tianjin Teda's stay in the top flight for the next season. On 8 November 2017, Tianjin Teda exercised the option to permanently sign Acheampong.[8]

Shenzhen

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On 12 April 2021, Shenzhen announced that Acheampong had joined the team on a free transfer, signing a four-year contract.[9] The club was dissolved in January 2024.[10]

Henan

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On 9 February 2024, Acheampong joined Chinese Super League club Henan.[11]

International career

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In August 2012, Acheampong was called up to Ghana national team for the international friendly match against China PR in Xi'an. He made his debut in the starting lineup while Ghana drew 1–1 with China on 15 August.

On 23 September 2012, he was made the captain of the Ghana U-20's. In a match against Morocco U-20 in 2013 African Youth Championship qualification, he scored twice as the Ghana U-20's won the match 4–1.[citation needed]

On 10 September 2013, Acheampong scored his first international goal for Ghana against Japan in a friendly match.

Personal life

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Frank Opoku Acheampong married his girlfriend Momie on 15 December 2019 at Peduase Valley.[12]

Career statistics

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Club statistics

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As of 5 October 2023[13]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Buriram United 2011 Thai Premier League 22 7 4 2 7 1 33 10
2012 34 12 2 1 5 1 6 1 1[a] 1 48 16
Total 56 19 6 3 12 2 6 1 1 1 81 26
Anderlecht (loan) 2012–13 Belgian Pro League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0[b] 0 0 0
Anderlecht 2013–14 24 3 2 1 6 0 0[b] 0 32 4
2014–15 35 2 4 1 8 0 1[b] 0 48 3
2015–16 28 5 1 0 9 4 38 9
2016–17 29 3 2 0 16 3 47 6
Total 116 13 9 2 0 0 39 7 1 0 165 22
Tianjin TEDA (loan) 2017 Chinese Super League 12 4 0 0 12 4
Tianjin TEDA 2018 26 17 0 0 26 17
2019 30 9 1 0 31 9
2020 18 4 4 1 22 5
Total 74 30 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 79 31
Shenzhen 2021 Chinese Super League 22 5 3 0 25 5
2022 24 8 0 0 24 8
2023 14 5 0 0 14 5
Total 60 18 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 18
Career total 314 97 23 6 12 2 45 8 2 1 400 101
  1. ^ Appearances in Kor Royal Cup
  2. ^ a b c Appearances in Belgian Super Cup

International goals

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As of 7 September 2017 (Ghana score listed first, score column indicates score after each Acheampong goal)[14]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 10 September 2013 International Stadium Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan   Japan 1–0 1–3 Friendly
2 24 March 2016 Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana   Mozambique 1–0 3–1 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Honours

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Acheampong in 2014 with Anderlecht

Buriram PEA

RSC Anderlecht

Ghana U-20

Ghana

References

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  1. ^ a b "FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013 List of Players: Ghana" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 June 2013. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 June 2013.
  2. ^ "Frank Acheampong, Biography". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Ghana - F. Acheampong - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". gh.soccerway.com. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Video: Manchester City swoop for Ghana prodigy 'Messi' – GHANAsoccernet.com". GhanaSoccerNet.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  5. ^ "Celtic drop interest in Ghana winger Frank Acheampong". BBC Sport. 13 December 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  6. ^ "Anderlecht reject Lierse loan bid for Ghana's Acheampong – Goal.com". Goal.com. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  7. ^ "FRANK ACHEAMPONG TREKT NAAR TIANJIN TEDA FC". R.S.C. Anderlecht (in Dutch). 13 July 2017. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  8. ^ "FRANK ACHEAMPONG GETRANSFEREERD NAAR TIANJIN TEDA". R.S.C. Anderlecht (in Dutch). 8 November 2017. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  9. ^ "Frank Acheampong signs four-year deal with Chinese side Shenzhen FC". GhanaWeb. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  10. ^ "深圳队官宣解散:未能通过准入,无法继续征战职业联赛" (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  11. ^ "公告" (in Chinese). dongqiudi. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  12. ^ Owusu-Mensah, Jeffrey (16 December 2019). "Black Stars player Frank Acheampong weds; stars attend in their numbers". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  13. ^ Frank Acheampong at Soccerway. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  14. ^ "Acheampong – Matches". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  15. ^ FIFA.com. "FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013 – News – Three A's see Ghana finish third – FIFA.com". fifa.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  16. ^ "Ghana names final squad for AFCON 2015 – MyJoyOnline.com". Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
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