by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
NBA champion Serge Ibaka, together with Oumarou Idrissa, President and Founder of the Los Angeles-based non-profit Afrikicks, has engaged in high-level discussions in Morocco aimed at advancing football development across Africa.
The meetings brought together top football administrators, including CAF President Patrice Motsepe, Ghana FA President Kurt Okraku, and CAF Executive Director Sarah Mukuna, to explore strategic partnerships focused on strengthening grassroots football, identifying emerging talent, and creating sustainable pathways for young African players to pursue professional careers both on the continent and internationally.
CAF Executive Director Sarah Mukuna emphasized the importance of coordinated partnerships that align talent discovery with robust governance frameworks and long-term support systems.
As part of the visit, Ibaka, Idrissa, and the officials attended the Senegal vs. Egypt international fixture at the Stade de Marrakech, highlighting the depth and competitiveness of African football and reinforcing calls for increased investment in youth development.
In a symbolic gesture of unity, President Motsepe presented Ibaka with a football signed by the CAF President, representing a shared commitment to sports development and youth empowerment across Africa.
Ibaka stressed the need for structured programs integrating sport, education, and mentorship, reaffirming Afrikicks’ mission to leverage football as a vehicle for social impact while creating global opportunities for African talent.
CAF and the GFA welcomed the initiative, noting that partnerships involving athletes, non-profits, and football authorities are vital for the sustainable growth of the sport across the continent.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Ghana Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has paid a personal visit to Brandon Thomas-Asante, striker for Coventry City, as part of his ongoing preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
Thomas-Asante, who plays in the English Sky Bet Championship, has been sidelined since November after sustaining an injury against Middlesbrough. Before his setback, the 25-year-old was in impressive form, scoring 10 goals and providing three assists in 17 appearances for Coventry.
Addo’s visit is part of a broader initiative to maintain team cohesion and morale, following similar trips to players including Abdul Mumin, Mohammed Kudus, Kwasi Sibo, Ernest Nuamah, and Mohammed Salisu.
The Black Stars are scheduled to reconvene on March 30 for a friendly against Germany in Stuttgart, marking the start of a key phase in their World Cup preparations.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has stated that his team is determined to surpass their performance from the previous Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as Ghana prepares for the 2026 edition in Morocco.
Ghana will return to Morocco in March 2026, having secured a bronze medal at the last tournament. The draw for the upcoming competition was held on Thursday, January 15, placing the Black Queens in a challenging group alongside Cameroon, Mali, and Cape Verde.
Reacting to the draw, Björkegren expressed optimism and ambition, insisting that the team is targeting an improved finish this time around.
“I am looking forward to the tournament,” he said. “When I came in, we were number six in Africa, but now we are number three, which makes us top-seeded.
“At the end of the day, whether it’s going to help or not, I don’t know. We will face three really good teams, but as I said, I am looking forward to the tournament.
“We will push to do an even better tournament this time.”
The Black Queens will be based in Fes for the group stage of the competition as they continue preparations for another strong continental campaign.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
England-born Nigerian winger Damola Ajayi has completed a loan move to EFL League Two side Bromley for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, following his recall from Doncaster Rovers.
The 20-year-old attacker enjoyed a productive first half of the campaign at Doncaster, making 19 appearances in all competitions and scoring two goals as he gained valuable senior experience.
Ajayi previously made headlines in January 2025 when he marked his first-team debut with a goal in a 3–0 UEFA Europa League victory over Elfsborg, announcing himself at senior level in impressive fashion.
A consistent performer at youth level, Ajayi was a key member of the club’s Under-17 and Under-18 Premier League Cup double-winning squad in the 2022/23 season. He continued his upward trajectory by playing an important role in the Under-21s’ Premier League 2 title success in 2023/24, having been a regular for the side last term.
The versatile forward now returns to familiar surroundings at Bromley, where he previously featured in the club’s youth setup before progressing to the academy. The loan move is expected to provide him with regular game time as he continues his development in the English Football League.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Former Ghana captain and World Cup hero Asamoah Gyan has opened up about his brief but memorable spell at English Premier League side Sunderland, shedding light on the circumstances that led to his surprise move away from England.
Gyan became a cult figure at the Stadium of Light during the 2010/11 season, scoring 10 goals in 34 league appearances for the Black Cats and winning the admiration of fans despite spending just one season in the Premier League.
At the peak of his career, the striker stunned many by leaving England for the United Arab Emirates, a decision that sparked widespread debate at the time.
However, speaking in an interview with Rio Ferdinand, Gyan revealed that the move was initiated by Sunderland themselves.
“Surprisingly, my best time was in the UAE,” Gyan told the former Manchester United defender.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding his exit, Gyan said:
“There were a lot of stories coming out around that time, but it was Sunderland that asked me to leave.
“Because of the deal that came. It was a loan deal and they felt they could capitalise on that deal, thinking that I would go and come back.”
The former Black Stars skipper admitted that he initially planned to return to Sunderland after the loan spell.
“Initially that was my mind — go for the deal and come back. I went there, fell in love with the place. So I had to focus on the option to buy and I had to go with that,” he explained.
Gyan went on to enjoy the most prolific spell of his career at Al Ain, scoring an astonishing 95 goals in 83 appearances and establishing himself as one of the club’s greatest-ever foreign players.
During the same period, he continued to deliver for the Ghana Black Stars, cementing his status as the nation’s all-time leading goal scorer.
