Ghanaian forwards Abdul-Aziz Yakubu and Emmanuel Boateng featured quite extensively for Rio Ave in the first game of the 2022-2023 Portuguese League season post World Cup schedule.
Rio Ave drew 1-1 with Maritimo as league action returned following the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The result is Rio’s fourth draw in 15 games.
Yakubu lasted 76 minutes and was replaced by Leonardo Ruiz with the former starting the game as the central forward in a three man forward line.
Boateng lasted the entire duration of the game deployed on the right side of Rio Ave’s three man frontline but neither Yakubu nor Boateng was able to improve their tally for the season.
Prior to the World Cup enforced break, both players were in good form and were in line for a call up to the Black Stars squad for the World Cup. However, both players missed out.
Yakubu has six goals and four assists in 14 league appearances while Boateng has four goals in 10 league appearances to his credit.
Boateng returned to Rio Ave this season after stints in the Spanish and Chinese leagues.