THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Akosua Puni Essien, the wife of former Chelsea midfielder and Ghanaian legend Michael Essien, has purchased Italian football club Como. She paid 237,000 euros for the Lega Pro side at an auction on Thursday.
Ms Essien becomes the first Ghanaian to buy a club in Europe.
As reported by the Associated Press, the acquisition does not include the club’s board, training ground or the brand. However, Essien’s purchase at the bankruptcy auction will see the club now known as FC Como. The club was declared bankrupt last year.
In a statement on their website, Como announced that the new owner is “honoured to be part of a club which has 110 years of history.”
Essien, businesswoman, sports consultant and philanthropist, has charged the club to aim for promotion to Serie B.
Como currently sits seventh in Lega Pro and could get a play-off spot.
The deal comes on the heels of Michael Essien joining Indonesian side Persib Bandung.
The 34-year-old signed a one-year deal with the option of an extension with the club early this week.
Essien, who has also played for Real Madrid and AC Milan, is the highest profile signing for Indonesian football since Cameroon World Cup hero Roger Milla and Argentine World Cup winner Mario Kempes played in the country in the 1990s.
The midfielder has been a free agent since leaving Greek club Panathinaikos at the end of last season.
Austin Ohaegbu
