Iddrisu Baba Real Mallorca 2021-22Getty Images

Iddrisu Baba on score sheet as Real Mallorca share spoils with Cadiz

Ghana midfielder was on target to help Real Mallorca claim a 1-1 away draw with Cadiz in La Liga on Sunday.

The 25-year-old’s goal ultimately proved crucial in saving his side from defeat in the matchday 12 fixture at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla.

The result sees the Pirates hold the 12th position on the league table, while their matchday opposition occupy the 17th position, just one place above the relegation zone.

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Baba’s strike comes almost a month after a post-match review panel discredited what he thought was his first career goal when his side faced Levante on matchday eight.

Against Cadiz, the 25-year-old opened the scoring in the 25th minute, slotting home from close range as a loose ball fell in his path in the box.

The visitors held their own and looked headed for a famous away win until the third minute of injury time when Mallorca conceded a penalty after Joan Sastre fouled Antony Lozano in the box.

Former Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo stepped up and expertly sent goalkeeper Manolo Reina the wrong way to restore parity.

Baba has been a key man for Mallorca this season, having featured in all 12 La Liga games played by the club so far, starting in all but two.

Against Levante, the Ghanaian thought he had scored his first goal for the club as the Pirates registered a 1-0 win, and did not hold back to express his delight before the goal was later credited to teammate Angel Luis.

"I waited a long time to score my first goal. I had to wait four seasons and this is very important for me. I still have a lot of things to give,” Baba said of his supposed landmark Levante goal after the game.

“This was a very important match after the last few games. It was very hard and difficult, but in the end we got the three points and this will give us a lot of confidence.

“We all made sacrifices and, in the end, what is most important is the victory." 

The midfielder’s good form is good news for Ghana ahead of their final two games of the 2022 World Cup African group stage qualifying matches against Ethiopia and South Africa later this month.

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