Man City defender Ake says father died minutes after Champions League goal

Friday, 17 September 2021 11:27

By Reuters

Manchester City defender Nathan Ake said his father died a few minutes after he scored in Wednesday's 6-3 Champions League win over RB Leipzig.

Ake, 26, opened the scoring with a powerful header in the 16th minute, netting his first goal in the Champions League and second overall for City since joining the club from Bournemouth in August 2020.

Earlier this month, the Netherlands international missed his country's World Cup qualifier against Turkey after leaving the national team camp due to undisclosed personal reasons.

"The past few weeks have been the toughest of my life, my dad has been very ill and there was no more treatment possible. I was lucky to have a lot of support from my fiance, family and friends," Ake wrote on Instagram.

"Yesterday after a difficult time I scored my first Champions League goal, and only a few minutes after he passed away peacefully with my mum and my brother by his side.

"Maybe it was meant to be, watching me play always made him proud and happy. I know you're always with me, you will always be in my heart and this one was for you dad."

Manchester City will host Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.

More from Sports News

Ireland beat India for first time in international cricket

Abhishek Sharma's 19-ball fifty went in vain as world champions India were surprisingly beaten by Ireland for the first time in international cricket, slumping to a 34-run defeat in the first Twenty20 in Belfast on Friday.
Williams to face Australia's Joint in Wimbledon comeback

American great Serena Williams will face Australian 20-year-old Maya Joint in the first round of her eagerly awaited return to Wimbledon, a potentially tricky tie for the seven-time champion playing at the tournament for the first time since 2022.
Australia reach World Cup knockouts, Turkey beat USA

Australia booked their spot in the knockout rounds of the World Cup on Thursday after a cagey draw against Paraguay, who are set to qualify as a third-placed finisher, while Turkey beat USA 3-2, scoring the winner with virtually the last kick of the match.
Netherlands win Group F, Japan and Sweden also through

The Netherlands scored two goals in the first seven minutes of the first half en route to a 3-1 victory over Tunisia on Thursday night in Kansas City in Group F, while Japan and Sweden drew 1-1 in Texas.
Beccacece hails Ecuador's biggest World Cup victory

Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece said all Ecuadoreans have a lot to celebrate on Thursday after the country's biggest World Cup result ever, coming from behind to beat Germany 2-1 and advance to the knockout stage.