Inaki Williams makes a triumphant return from AFCON, scoring as Athletic Bilbao secures victory against Barcelona.
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Less than a day after rejoining Athletic Bilbao, Inaki Williams found the back of the net against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey.
The 29-year-old secured his ninth goal of the season, contributing to Athletic Bilbao’s elimination of Xavi’s team from the Copa del Rey on Wednesday evening.
Williams made a swift return to Spain on Tuesday, utilizing a private jet, following Ghana’s exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Despite his limited participation, the Athletic Bilbao forward, who started only one game in the Ivory Coast, managed to contribute significantly. Unfortunately, the Black Stars were unable to secure a victory in a group that included Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.
After Ghana’s elimination was confirmed on Tuesday following Cameroon’s victory over Gambia, Williams promptly boarded a private jet back to Spain. Subsequently, in the crucial Copa del Rey quarter-final against Barcelona, he was brought on in the second half and had an immediate impact.
Williams scored during extra time, propelling Athletic Bilbao to a 3-2 lead, and later assisted his brother, Nico, in sealing a well-deserved 4-2 victory over Barcelona.
READ MORE ON: 5 COACHES FIRED AFTER AFCON 2023 GROUP STAGE GAMES
In the meantime, the Black Stars are currently without a coach following the dismissal of Chris Hughton after the country’s disappointing AFCON 2023 campaign.
According to a statement from the Ghana Football Association, the Executive Council has chosen to dissolve the technical team of the national team. Chris Hughton, who took over as the coach in February 2023, replacing Otto Addo, faced challenges during his tenure.
In the past 11 months, the Black Stars have encountered significant difficulties, managing only four victories in 13 matches under Hughton’s leadership. The team’s struggles extend to their last five matches in all competitions, including a defeat to Comoros in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, contributing to a challenging period for Ghana’s national football team.
About The Author
