The Park bids farewell to a Sportingboy. Francis Amuzu, after 2 seasons in the youth academy and 8 seasons with the first team of the Mauves, is moving to Gremio. The Neerpede product swaps Brussels for Porto Alegre: from Belgium to Brazil. A trip down memory lane: Amuzu’s 10 years at Sporting, the place where Francis will forever be ‘Ciske’.
December 22, 2017. Coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck gives youngster Francis Amuzu his debut at home against KAS Eupen. And Francis thanks his coach for the spot in the starting eleven. With the only goal of the match, the then 18-year-old forward gives Sporting the win. A goal on his debut. The Park was introduced to a new youth product, made in Neerpede.
The fast winger was given more opportunities with the first team, but Ciske’s story at the club actually began in 2015 with the youth teams. There, he quickly made a name for himself, especially thanks to his speed. Francis became a Belgian youth international with the U19s and was part of the second team of RSCA. With the U21s, he made a strong impression in the Youth League, notably against Bayern Munich and PSG, against whom he scored.
In November 2017, Francis signed his contract with the Mauves. The following month, he made his debut and opened his account for Sporting. The Belgian, born in Accra (Ghana), played a total of 251 matches for the club. With that, Ciske ranks 29th in terms of players with the most appearances for the Mauves of all time. Among all players still active at the highest level, he is even the one with the most caps for RSCA. In 251 matches, Ciske scored 28 goals and provided 31 assists.
A year after his debut in the national competition, he also made his European debut. On September 20, 2018, Ciske played his first Europa League match away to Spartak Trnava, but he had to wait a bit longer for his first European goal. Amuzu opened the scoring in the Conference League qualifier against KF Laçi (2-1) on August 12, 2021.
REWATCH ALL GOALS BY CISKE ON MAUVE TV
Ciske quickly went from youth product to a regular in the first team. In the Clasico against Standard on September 1, 2019, he was even captain of Sporting, taking the armband from Nacer Chadli. A great moment for the winger, made in Neerpede. But his absolute highlight came on May 8, 2022. With a stunning hat-trick, he took down Antwerp and was at the heart of a 0-4 victory at the Bosuil. His lob in the tribute match for Paul Van Himst against KV Mechelen — which was won 3-1 — will also remain etched in the collective memory of all Mauves as one of the most beautiful goals at the Park in recent years.
After 8 seasons with the first team of RSCA, Francis is now taking the next step. He is leaving Belgium for Brazil, moving from Brussels to Porto Alegre. Ciske bid farewell with a final milestone at Sporting: against KV Mechelen, he donned the purple and white shirt for the 250th time.
10 years after his arrival in Neerpede, Amuzu is leaving Sporting. But Francis, lovingly known as Ciske, will always feel at home in the Park.
Merci pour tout, Ciske. ♔
