On 21 August 1995, on a Monday night in front of Sky’s cameras, a ball dropped to Tony Yeboah outside the Liverpool box. He hit it first time. It smashed in off the underside of the crossbar, and English football had a new favourite goal.
A month later, he scored an even better one.
From Kumasi to Germany
Anthony Yeboah was born in Kumasi and played for clubs in Ghana, including Cornerstones and Okwawu United, before moving to Germany. After a spell at Saarbrücken, he joined Eintracht Frankfurt, where he became one of the most feared strikers in the Bundesliga.
Golden boots
Yeboah was the Bundesliga’s joint top scorer in 1992-93, with 20 goals, sharing the title with Ulf Kirsten. The next season he did it again, with 18 goals, level with Stefan Kuntz. For an African player in Germany at the time, it was a remarkable achievement, and he faced racist abuse from some fans along the way.
Leeds United
In early 1995, Leeds United signed Yeboah. He scored regularly in his first months and then began the 1995-96 season in extraordinary form.
Liverpool
Against Liverpool on 21 August 1995, his volley was the only goal of the game. It became one of the most replayed goals of the early Premier League years.
Wimbledon
On 23 September 1995, at Selhurst Park, Yeboah scored a hat-trick against Wimbledon. His second goal, a chest control, a flick over a defender and a ferocious shot that crashed in off the bar, was voted Goal of the Season on the BBC’s Match of the Day.
Many fans still argue about which of his two volleys was better.
Injury
Injuries cut short his time at Leeds. He later returned to Germany with Hamburg and finished his career in Qatar.
The Black Stars
Yeboah played for Ghana’s national team through the late 1980s and 1990s, alongside players such as Abedi Pele. Ghana did not reach a World Cup during his career, which he has spoken about with regret.
After football
Yeboah has been involved in business and football development in Ghana, and he remains a popular figure in Leeds and Frankfurt.
Replay value
Yeboah played only a season and a half of real impact at Leeds. Few players have done more with so few games, and Premier League compilation videos still come back to those two afternoons in 1995.
