Akosua Puni draws huge crowd at Italian side Como in maiden stadium appearance

There were huge crowds and enthusiasm for Akosua Puni Essien when the Ghanaian businesswoman visited the Sinigaglia Stadium to watch her recently-bought Italian team in their match against Piacenza on Saturday.

The wife of Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien was at the stadium to watch her first match since taking over as the owner of the third tier Italian side.

Apart from the unexpected huge crowd for the match (exactly 4370 spectators), there was huge interest in the new owner of the Lariana based club with the hosting of a huge banner of selfies with the new president.

There was also another banner from the fans, expressing their gratitude for saving Como from relegation and bankruptcy following her purchase of the club two weeks ago.

At the half time of the match although Como was trailing 2-1 - Akosua Puni Essien did not hide her satisfaction for the reception. "Very good," she said with a grin.

Shortly after the new owner was surrounded by a bunch of kids who did not miss the opportunity to take a picture with the star of the day.

Michael Essien's wife has bought the third division Italian football club at an auction.

Akosua Puni Essien, who is married to the former AC Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder, bought Como for £206,000 (€237,000).

The price does not include the training centre or the Calcio Como brand, and the team will now be known as FC Como.

A club statement says Puni Essien will return to Como soon and that she is 'honoured to be part of a club which has 110 years of history.'

According to reports, she bought the club at a bankruptcy auction held by FC Como Limited.

Como were relegated from Serie B last season. They are currently in seventh place and on course for the promotion playoffs.

The Italian club plied their trade in the Serie A in the 2002-03 season but this was followed by three consecutive relegations.

Then things got a whole lot worse as the club was declared bankrupted late on in 2004.

However, thanks to FIGC regulation, a new entity was allowed to admit into the 2005-06 Serie D.