by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has held talks with captain Jordan Ayew and winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku in Leicester as part of his ongoing player visitation programme.
The visit forms part of a broader initiative by the Black Stars technical team to engage national team players, strengthen relationships, and clearly communicate the Football Association’s long-term vision for the senior national side.
Ayew and Fatawu are both in strong contention to start for Leicester City in their upcoming clash against Coventry City this weekend, having delivered impressive performances in recent weeks.
Fatawu has been one of Leicester’s standout performers this season, registering five goals and seven assists in 24 league appearances, while Ayew has also played a key role, contributing five goals and three assists across 24 league matches.
The Leicester visit follows similar engagements by Addo with several other Black Stars players across Europe. The Ghana coach has already met Abdul Mumin, Mohammed Kudus, Kwasi Sibo, Ernest Nuamah, and Mohammed Salisu, as he continues his efforts to foster unity, strong team culture, and collective purpose both on and off the pitch.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2026 | Uncategorized
Both Senegal and Morocco are chasing a second Africa Cup of Nations title as they face off in Sunday’s highly anticipated AFCON 2025 final.
Sportsblog247.com has provided comprehensive viewing details for football fans in Ghana, the United Kingdom, and beyond ahead of the blockbuster clash between the Teranga Lions and the Atlas Lions.
The final will be played on Sunday, January 18, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT. Both finalists arrive in the showdown unbeaten, each recording five games without defeat en route to the final.
Road to the 2025 AFCON Final
Senegal sealed their place in the final with a narrow 1–0 victory over Egypt at the Tangier Grand Stadium on Wednesday, January 14. Captain Sadio Mané proved decisive, scoring a late winner in the 78th minute to settle the semi-final, as confirmed by CAF.
Earlier the same evening, hosts Morocco were pushed to the limit by Nigeria, eventually booking their final spot after a dramatic 4–2 penalty shootout win, according to Sportsblog247.com.
The Teranga Lions had earlier impressed in the group stage, recording two wins and a draw, before defeating Sudan 3–1 in the Round of 16 and edging Mali 1–0 in the quarter-finals.
Morocco’s journey was equally demanding. The Atlas Lions also went unbeaten in the group stage with two wins and a draw, before overcoming Tanzania 1–0 in the Round of 16 and defeating Cameroon 2–0 in the quarter-finals to reach the semis.
How to Watch Senegal vs Morocco AFCON Final
According to Goal, football fans in Ghana can follow the final live on several SuperSport platforms, including MáXimo 360, SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Grandstand, as well as via the DStv App.
In the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast live on Channel 4.
For viewers in the United States, AFCON matches are available via beIN Sports, which can be accessed through streaming services such as YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling TV (with the appropriate add-on), and DIRECTV Stream.
Among these platforms, Fubo offers the most sports-focused coverage, YouTube TV provides strong overall value, Sling TV remains the most affordable option, while DIRECTV Stream caters to fans seeking premium viewing features.
2025 AFCON Top Scorers Update
Sportsblog247.com previously reported that Brahim Diaz leads the AFCON 2025 top scorers chart with five goals, followed by Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen on four goals each.
None of the leading scorers managed to find the net in the semi-finals, leaving the Golden Boot race wide open heading into the final.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer
Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz continues to dominate the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) top scorers chart as the tournament reaches its climax, with Morocco and Senegal securing spots in the final on Sunday, January 18.
In Wednesday’s semifinals, Senegal edged Egypt 1–0 in Tangier thanks to a late strike from Sadio Mané in the 78th minute.
Mané’s effort from the edge of the area, slightly deflected, left Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy with no chance, ultimately deciding the tightly contested match. Senegal controlled possession for long stretches, creating the clearer chances, while Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, struggled to convert opportunities into goals.
Later that evening in Rabat, Morocco and Nigeria played out a tense 0–0 draw after 120 minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The match went to penalties, where Morocco triumphed 4–2.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou became the hero, saving two Nigerian spot-kicks, while Youssef En-Nesyri converted the decisive penalty. Nigeria’s attempts from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi were denied, sending the Super Eagles to contest third place against Egypt.
As a result, the AFCON 2025 final promises to be a high-stakes showdown between hosts Morocco and Senegal, while Egypt and Nigeria will face off for the bronze medal.
Top Scorers (as of January 15, 2026, across
49 matches and 120 goals):
4 goals:
Mohamed Salah (Egypt),
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
3 goals: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria),
Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast),
Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco),
Lassine Sinayoko (Mali),
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
2 goals:
Sadio Mané (Senegal),
Ibrahim Maza (Algeria),
Christian Kofane (Cameroon),
Gaël Kakuta (DR Congo),
Omar Marmoush (Egypt),
Bazoumana Touré (Ivory Coast),
Geny Catamo (Mozambique),
Akor Adams (Nigeria),
Raphael Onyedika (Nigeria),
Pape Gueye (Senegal),
Nicolas Jackson (Senegal),
Cherif Ndiaye (Senegal),
Oswin Appollis (South Africa),
Lyle Foster (South Africa),
Elias Achouri (Tunisia)
According to Opta’s supercomputer projections, Morocco remains the tournament favorite with a 22.52% chance of lifting the trophy, though Senegal’s consistent form signals a fiercely competitive final.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has issued a stark warning to Nigeria ahead of Wednesday night’s AFCON 2025 semi-final in Rabat, emphasizing the formidable challenge of facing the Atlas Lions on home soil.
The Super Eagles arrive in impressive form, having won all five of their tournament matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding just four, making them one of the competition’s most efficient and feared sides.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Regragui highlighted the impact of the Moroccan crowd, citing their previous match against Cameroon. “You make your opponent uncomfortable.
Cameroon came with confidence and one of their players said it was like Dortmund fans,” he said. “But that is a big mistake.
When you play in Morocco, you have only Morocco fans. You don’t play in Dortmund or Madrid.”
Regragui insisted that the atmosphere at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium is a decisive factor that only becomes fully apparent once the match begins. “This stadium is difficult for every opponent, and you feel this only when you are on the pitch,” he added. “I hope tomorrow the Moroccan fans will do their best for the team. It is very difficult to win in Morocco.”
Despite the psychological pressure from the hosts, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is focusing on his team’s composure, tactical discipline, and mental resilience to neutralize the hostile environment and execute their game plan.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer
Morocco’s lone Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 1976 remains one of the nation’s most cherished football achievements. On Ethiopian soil, the Atlas Lions, in only their second appearance, defied expectations to lift the trophy with an unbeaten campaign in a demanding round-robin final, guided by inspirational captain Ahmed Faras. His decisive goals marked the beginning of Morocco’s proud continental journey.
Nearly five decades later, the title has remained elusive. Morocco’s rise to global recognition, highlighted by their 2022 World Cup semi-final run, has only intensified the longing for another AFCON crown. While Ghana established early dominance with multiple titles throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Morocco quietly built a modern powerhouse, blending domestic talent with European-based stars—but the trophy continued to elude them.
Hosting the 35th AFCON, moved to the winter window from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, gave Morocco the perfect stage to rewrite history. Across nine venues in six cities, the Atlas Lions, under coach Walid Regragui, displayed the defensive discipline and attacking flair that has become their trademark.
Brahim Díaz led the attack with remarkable consistency, scoring in five consecutive matches, while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou provided heroic performances in crucial moments. The knockout rounds tested Morocco’s resolve, culminating in a dramatic semi-final against Nigeria on January 14 in Rabat.
After 120 minutes of intense, goalless football, Morocco triumphed 4-2 in a tense penalty shootout, with Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, and Youssef En-Nesyri delivering under pressure. The win secured Morocco’s first final appearance since 2004.
Their opponents in Sunday’s final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium are Senegal, the 2021 champions, who booked their place with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Egypt in Tangier, courtesy of a late strike from Sadio Mané. Senegal bring experience, tactical awareness, and a balanced squad capable of matching Morocco’s intensity, making this the first-ever AFCON final between the two nations and adding to the stakes of the encounter.
As Morocco prepares to lift the trophy in front of passionate home supporters, the weight of 50 years of longing and national pride hangs in the balance. One more monumental performance could transform decades of anticipation into historic celebration. Dima Maghrib—Morocco forever stands ready to make history once again.
