Black Stars' Golden Boot winner Mukarama heads to Turkish football as Abakah follows

Two of Ghana's brightest women footballers have secured moves to Turkish football, with forward Mukarama Abdulai and attacker Philomena Abakah joining Ünye Kadın FK in the Women's Super League ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. The transfers represent a significant milestone for both players and underscore the growing opportunities for Ghanaian female athletes in European football.

Mukarama's journey to Turkey caps an impressive career trajectory that has already taken her across multiple continents. The 23-year-old burst onto the international stage at the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, where her prolific seven-goal haul earned her the tournament's Golden Boot award. That breakthrough performance established her as one of Ghana's most exciting young talents and opened doors to professional football abroad.

Since that breakthrough, Mukarama has represented Ghana at youth and senior levels, including a memorable contribution to the national team's gold medal triumph at the 2023 African Games in Accra, where she scored the decisive goal in the final against Nigeria. Her club career has seen her represent Northern Ladies domestically before a spell with Spanish outfit Deportivo Alavés. Upon returning to Ghana, she signed with Hasaacas Ladies, where she has featured prominently in the Women's Premier League with three goals and four assists across nine recorded appearances.

Abakah brings a different but equally valuable profile to the Turkish club. The attacker's career has been characterised by mobility and adaptability across multiple continents. Her résumé includes stints with Tanzanian side Simba Queens, Serbian clubs, and Indian football, alongside domestic experience at Berry Ladies and Ampem Darkoa Ladies in Ghana. This diverse experience across different playing styles and tactical approaches positions her as a seasoned professional capable of adjusting to the demands of Turkish football.

Why it matters for Ghana

These moves represent more than individual success stories—they reflect a broader trend of Ghanaian women's footballers gaining recognition and opportunities in established European leagues. As Turkish women's football continues to develop and invest in talent, securing spots for Ghanaian players validates the quality emerging from the domestic game and the national team system.

For the Black Maidens and senior women's national team programmes, having players competing at this level strengthens the talent pipeline and brings valuable international experience back into the national setup. Mukarama's success at youth level, culminating in the African Games triumph, demonstrates how investments in women's football development can yield international stars.

The transfers also highlight the importance of pathways for female players beyond domestic competition. While Ghana's Women's Premier League provides crucial development opportunities, moves to stronger European leagues accelerate player development and raise the profile of Ghanaian women's football globally.

Building momentum in women's football

Ünye Kadın FK's recruitment of two Ghanaian internationals suggests the Turkish club recognises quality and potential in African football. For Mukarama and Abakah, this move offers a chance to compete against higher-calibre opposition and develop their games in a more competitive environment than many domestic leagues.

The 2026/27 season will be crucial for both players to establish themselves in Turkey and potentially attract further opportunities in top European leagues. Their performances will be closely watched not only by Turkish football observers but also by Ghana's football community, which continues to take pride in the achievements of its players abroad.