Ghana centre-back Nicholas Opoku impressed on his Las Palmas debut as the Canary Islanders beat RSD Alcala 3-1 after extra time in the Copa del Rey.
Ghana's Nicholas Opoku has finally arrived in Spain. The centre-back made his competitive debut for UD Las Palmas on Tuesday night, helping the Canary Islands side past RSD Alcala 3-1 after extra time in the first round of the Copa del Rey.
The 29-year-old was handed a place in the starting eleven for the away tie, and he rewarded the faith with a commanding display at the back. It was a long-awaited moment. Opoku joined Las Palmas in August on a two-year deal after his contract with Turkish side Kasımpaşa expired, but visa complications and an injury kept him out of the squad until now.
Having cleared those hurdles, the former Amiens defender showed why Las Palmas wanted him, anchoring the backline as the tie went the distance and the visitors pulled clear to book their place in the next round.
There was one worry. Opoku took a knock in the 73rd minute and was replaced by Taisei Miyashiro. The extent of the problem has not been made clear, but the Ghanaian will be hoping for a quick recovery.
Las Palmas host Real Oviedo in the Spanish Segunda next weekend, and Opoku will want to be fit for it. After the wait he has had, he will be eager to build on a debut that gave the club plenty to be encouraged by.
