by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 20, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Former Hearts of Oak striker Prince Tagoe has shared his unforgettable memories of winning the club’s first-ever CAF Confederation Cup title. The historic victory remains a defining moment in both his career and the club’s history.
In his debut season, Tagoe’s remarkable form saw him score 18 league goals, earning him the Ghana Premier League top scorer title and leading the Phobians to domestic glory. However, it was the CAF Confederation Cup win that he holds closest to his heart.
“It was a joy I can’t put into words,” Tagoe told GhanaWeb. “When we won the cup, the celebrations were unbelievable. We left Kumasi at 10 a.m., but the fans blocked the roads with their celebrations, and we didn’t reach Accra until 2 a.m.”
Hearts of Oak’s triumph came on January 9, 2004, in a tense final against their arch-rivals Asante Kotoko. The match, held in Kumasi, ended 1-1 after regular time, with the Phobians emerging victorious in a dramatic 9-8 penalty shootout.
The victory was not only historic for Hearts of Oak but also a monumental achievement for Ghanaian football. To this day, Tagoe remains the only Ghanaian player to have won both the domestic top scorer award and the CAF Confederation Cup in the same season.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 20, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer, World Cup
Former Black Stars assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko has rallied behind Otto Addo, urging Ghanaians to exercise patience with the embattled head coach. Addo, currently in his second tenure, has been under fire following Ghana’s shocking failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco—the first time in two decades the Black Stars will miss the continental showpiece.
Despite this setback, Addo’s efforts in the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers offer a glimmer of hope. The Black Stars have secured two wins, keeping their World Cup dreams alive, but questions linger over his future.
Tanko, speaking to Flashscore, dismissed claims that Addo is overwhelmed by the role. “I don’t believe the job is too big for him,” he said. “He took charge during a difficult period and led Ghana to the World Cup in Qatar. Although the results were disappointing, he deserves another chance, especially with the World Cup qualifiers ahead.”
The former assistant coach also highlighted the potential risks of sacking Addo, including financial strain and uncertainty over finding a capable replacement.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is set to deliberate Addo’s fate at an Executive Council meeting on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Ghana’s next World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar are slated for March 2025, offering the coach a chance to rebuild trust and secure progress.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 20, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer, World Cup
Former Black Starlets coach Laryea Kingston has expressed his belief that Black Stars boss Otto Addo is deeply disappointed in his team’s performance during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers but remains determined to make amends.
The Black Stars failed to secure a single victory in the qualifiers, capping their campaign with a shocking home defeat to Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday. The result marked a historic low for Ghana, as the team missed out on the continental tournament for the first time in 20 years, a scenario reminiscent of their absence in 2004.
Amid growing calls for Otto Addo’s dismissal, Kingston has urged patience, emphasizing that a change in leadership might not be the solution at this critical time.
“For me, at the moment, we shouldn’t change anything. I think Otto is even disappointed in himself. By now, he’s likely asking himself tough questions about what went wrong and how he can improve things moving forward,” Kingston said during an interview with 3Sports.
The former Black Stars midfielder is confident that Addo is committed to addressing the team’s shortcomings and believes the coach’s determination will shine through in upcoming challenges.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, there remains an opportunity for Ghana to restore national pride. The Black Stars currently sit second in Group I after four games, offering a glimmer of hope for redemption.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 20, 2024 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Legendary Arsenal Captain Set to Mentor Promising Nigerian Talents
Italian Serie A side Genoa has officially announced the appointment of Patrick Vieira as their new head coach, following the dismissal of Alberto Gilardino due to a string of poor results. Vieira, a revered figure in football and former Arsenal captain, brings a wealth of experience to the struggling team.
The French World Cup winner and European champion arrives at Genoa after stepping down from his role at Strasbourg earlier this year. His coaching resume includes stints at New York City FC, OGC Nice, Crystal Palace, and Strasbourg, where he worked with several rising stars.
Vieira will not only seek to revive Genoa’s fortunes but also play a pivotal role in nurturing three talented Nigerian players in the squad:
Jeff Ekhator (18): A promising center forward who has already scored once in Serie A despite limited opportunities.
Honest Ahanor (16): A dynamic left-back with two Serie A appearances under his belt.
David Ankeye (22): A striker who has featured in eleven matches across all competitions this season.
Vieira’s track record of developing players of Nigerian descent, including Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise at Crystal Palace and Emanuel Emegha at Strasbourg, suggests the trio could thrive under his guidance.
The new coach is set to lead his first training session this afternoon at Genoa’s Villa Rostan headquarters, signaling the start of what fans hope will be a transformative era.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 20, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer, World Cup
In a bold decision by the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Otto Addo will continue as head coach of the Black Stars, despite the team’s disastrous AFCON 2025 qualification campaign. Despite the team’s poor performance, finishing last in Group F and failing to secure a spot in the tournament for the first time in two decades, the GFA has opted to retain Addo’s position.
Ghana’s AFCON qualification journey was marred by three losses and three draws, with the team failing to win a single match out of six. This led to their elimination from the competition, leaving the country facing its first AFCON absence since 2004.
The GFA, led by President Kurt Okraku, is reportedly taking a measured approach, opting to maintain Addo due to the belief that the coach is not solely responsible for the qualification failure. While there is significant public pressure for change, with many supporters calling for Addo’s dismissal, the leadership of the GFA is focused on addressing the deeper issues within the team. A critical meeting scheduled for November 20, 2024, will aim to discuss not only the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for AFCON 2025 but also the future direction of the team.
Despite the setback, Addo will continue to lead the Black Stars into the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, set to begin in March 2025.
