by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 10, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer
Cameroon head coach David Pagou has explained the key factors behind his side’s quarter-final exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a narrow defeat to host nation Morocco.
The Indomitable Lions were second-best for long spells as the North Africans controlled proceedings on Friday night, booking a place in the semi-finals with a 2–0 victory. First-half strikes from Brahim Díaz and a second-half finish by Ismael Saibari proved decisive.
Speaking after the match, Pagou pointed to the timing of the second goal as the turning point of the encounter.
“I’m proud of my players. We competed well against Morocco, and we leave the AFCON with our heads held high,” he said.
The Cameroonian tactician admitted his team struggled at certain moments but felt they showed resilience after the break.
“We faced some difficulties, but we came back well in the second half. However, the second goal we conceded decided the match,” Pagou noted.
Despite the elimination, the coach expressed satisfaction with his team’s overall display and effort throughout the tournament.
“Overall, I am satisfied with the performance,” he concluded.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 10, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Soccer
💔 Devastating news has emerged as Lamisha Musonda shared an emotional message on social media, revealing that he has only a few days left to live after battling a serious illness for the past two years.
In his heartfelt words, Lamisha opened up about the silent pain, strength, and exhaustion that have defined his journey—explaining his long absence and the harsh reality he is now facing. Despite his critical condition, his message is filled with courage, gratitude, and love, as he continues to fight with his family by his side.
He reflects on a beautiful youth, unfulfilled dreams, and the sadness of possibly not thanking everyone who shaped his life. Yet, even in this moment, Lamisha’s spirit remains unbroken.
We stand in solidarity with Lamisha and his family, holding them close in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. 🤍🙏
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 10, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Soccer
Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign came to an end on Friday night after a 2-0 quarter-final defeat to host nation Morocco, a result that paves the way for Bryan Mbeumo’s return to Manchester United ahead of the Manchester derby.
United are in FA Cup action this weekend at Old Trafford against Brighton, but attention will soon turn to their next Premier League fixture — a high-stakes clash with Manchester City on January 17.
The Red Devils will be seeking revenge after suffering a 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier this season, where Erling Haaland struck twice at the Etihad Stadium.
Hopes of a stronger showing in the derby have been boosted by Cameroon’s elimination from AFCON 2025. Mbeumo, who started for the Indomitable Lions in Rabat, was unable to prevent their exit as Brahim Díaz opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the tournament before Ismael Saibari sealed the win late on.
The forward leaves the competition without registering a goal and is now set to return to Manchester. However, he is not expected to feature in United’s FA Cup tie against Brighton after his international commitments.
United’s interim manager Darren Fletcher confirmed that Mbeumo will not be rushed back into action.
“I don’t think so. It’s too close a turnaround,” Fletcher said. “We’ll have the same players available as we did against Burnley, so no new additions. Bryan and Nous will not be available for the game.”
While Mbeumo heads home, Noussair Mazraoui remains on AFCON duty with Morocco and is now guaranteed to miss the Manchester derby. The Atlas Lions have progressed to the final week of the tournament and will contest either the third-place playoff on January 17 or the final a day later.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s other representative at AFCON, Amad Diallo, will be hoping to join Mazraoui in the semi-finals as Ivory Coast prepare to face seven-time champions Egypt.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 10, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer
Often used as a substitute at Real Madrid, where he has started just four matches this season, Brahim Díaz is enjoying a remarkable resurgence on the international stage with Morocco.
Featuring for the Atlas Lions in their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash against Cameroon, the right winger once again delivered when it mattered most.
Díaz found the net after a perfectly weighted assist from fellow in-form forward Ayoub El Kaabi, scoring his fifth goal in five matches at the tournament.
The Málaga-born attacker has now tormented a growing list of opponents at AFCON 2025, with goals against Comoros, Mali, Zambia, Tanzania and Cameroon, underlining his consistency and killer instinct.
With that latest strike, Díaz has moved clear as the outright top scorer of AFCON 2025, capping an outstanding individual campaign and reinforcing his importance to Morocco’s title ambitions.
From limited minutes in club football to leading the scoring charts on the continent’s biggest stage, Díaz’s transformation has been nothing short of impressive.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 9, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Top clubs from Belgium, Poland and other parts of Europe are closely monitoring Ghanaian attacking midfielder Mathew Anim Cudjoe after an impressive season in the Israeli Premier League.
Currently on the books of Bnei Sakhnin, the 22-year-old has featured in 20 matches this campaign, registering three goals and three assists. His consistent displays have not gone unnoticed, with scouts from outside Israel increasingly tracking his progress.
Cudjoe began his football journey in Ghana, playing for Young Apostles, Legon Cities and Kumasi Asante Kotoko before taking the step into European football. He also had a spell with Dundee United in Scotland, experiences that have contributed to his development and maturity on the pitch.
Since settling in Israel, Cudjoe has grown into a key creative force for Bnei Sakhnin, admired for his intelligent movement between the lines, ability to drive forward from midfield and influence in the final third.
Sources close to the player reveal that clubs in Belgium and Poland have already made enquiries, while several other European sides are keeping a close watch ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Although no official bids have been submitted yet, Cudjoe’s upward trajectory suggests a move to a more competitive European league could soon materialise if he maintains his current level of performance.
