Ghanaian midfielder Francis Abu has etched his name into Cercle Brugge history, making his 100th appearance for the Belgian club during their emphatic playoff triumph that ensured top division survival.
The 24-year-old hit the milestone in style, coming off the bench in the second leg of the Belgian Second Division play-offs against Patro Eisden.
Abu replaced Hannes Van der Bruggen in the 60th minute, helping the Green and Black seal a 3-1 win on the day and an 8-2 aggregate victory overall.
It was a fitting moment for a player who has grown into a key figure at the club since joining from Danish side FC Nordsjaelland in 2022.
Known for his tireless work rate and technical ability, Abu has played a central role in Cercle Brugge’s resurgence over the past two seasons, including helping the team qualify for European competition last year.
This season alone, he made 49 appearances across all competitions, scoring once and providing four assists, underlining his value as one of the club’s most consistent performers.
“I’m proud to reach this milestone with Cercle Brugge,” Abu said after the game. “It’s been a tough season, but we fought as a team, and I’m happy to have played my part.”
Abu’s form has also caught the attention of national selectors, with the midfielder expected to be named in Ghana’s squad for the upcoming Unity Cup tournament in London next week, where the Black Stars will face Nigeria and two other nations in a friendly competition.
With 100 games behind him and another international call-up on the horizon, Francis Abu’s career is on an upward trajectory, making him one of Ghana’s most reliable midfield exports in European football today.
