by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 9, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer
Brahim Díaz continued his sensational Africa Cup of Nations form as host nation Morocco joined Senegal in the semifinals following a commanding 2-0 victory over Cameroon in Rabat on Friday.
The Real Madrid attacker extended his remarkable Moroccan record by scoring in a fifth consecutive match at the tournament. Díaz opened the scoring in the 27th minute, reacting quickest to bundle home Ayoub El Kaabi’s glancing header from a corner. He celebrated with a shrug toward the crowd, as if stunned by yet another decisive contribution.
Morocco doubled their advantage in the 74th minute through substitute Ismael Saibari, who drilled a low effort into the far corner after another set-piece, shortly after Georges-Kévin Nkoudou had gone close for Cameroon.
That missed opportunity proved costly for the five-time champions, whose defeat marked their first loss to Morocco in five Africa Cup of Nations meetings. The Atlas Lions largely controlled proceedings as Cameroon struggled to create clear chances.
Morocco will now face either Nigeria or Algeria in the second semifinal, scheduled for Wednesday.
Teranga Lions also book last-four place
Earlier in the day, Senegal secured their semifinal ticket with a narrow 1-0 win over 10-man Mali in the first quarterfinal.
Iliman Ndiaye scored the decisive goal in the 27th minute, pouncing from close range after Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra spilled Krépin Diatta’s cross under wet conditions at the Grand Stade de Tanger.
Mali’s task became even tougher when captain Yves Bissouma, already booked for a foul on Sadio Mané, was shown a second yellow card before halftime for another challenge on Idrissa Gueye. It was Mali’s third red card in as many matches at the tournament, following Woyo Coulibaly’s dismissal in the previous round.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Mali showed resilience, with Abdoulaye Diaby forcing a save from Édouard Mendy before the hour mark. However, most of the late chances fell to Senegal, with Diarra denying Lamine Camara and Mané in stoppage time.
Senegal, champions in 2021, will meet the winner of the quarterfinal clash between Ivory Coast and Egypt in the first semifinal on Wednesday, also in Tangier.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 9, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Antoine Semenyo’s meteoric rise in European football has not only rewritten his career trajectory but has also drawn attention to the family foundation behind his success—particularly his mother, Dela Dzebu. Beyond the headlines of his record-breaking move to Manchester City, curiosity has grown around the woman widely credited with shaping his discipline, resilience, and character.
Ghana’s powerful forward sealed a historic transfer to Manchester City, reportedly worth around £65 million, capping a journey defined by patience, setbacks, and steady progress. The move elevates Semenyo to one of the most demanding stages in world football and marks a major milestone in his career.
Semenyo completes historic Man City switch
Born in London, Semenyo signed a long-term deal with the Premier League champions after three productive seasons at AFC Bournemouth. His move to the Etihad Stadium came barely 48 hours after a dramatic farewell, when he struck a stoppage-time winner against Tottenham Hotspur—an emphatic final statement in a Bournemouth shirt.
In 110 appearances for the Cherries, Semenyo registered 32 goals and 13 assists, according to Transfermarkt, numbers that underline his growing influence and explain City’s decisive move. He will wear the number 42 jersey, famously donned by club legend Yaya Touré during his trophy-laden spell.
“I am so proud to have joined Manchester City,” Semenyo said in quotes reported by BBC Sport.
“They have set the highest standards. It’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep Guardiola.
“I still have so much room to improve, so being here at this stage of my career is perfect. It’s a real privilege.”
The celebrations around the transfer contrast sharply with the uncertainty of his teenage years. At just 15, failed trials at Arsenal, Tottenham and Millwall left Semenyo questioning his future. Loan spells at Bath City, Newport County and Sunderland followed, each shaping his mentality before a return to Bristol City and a move to Bournemouth put him firmly back on track.
Now, he prepares to test himself on the Champions League stage under Pep Guardiola.
Meet Dela Dzebu: the quiet force behind the success
Central to Semenyo’s journey is his mother, Dela Efua Dzebu, affectionately known as Madam Dela. Though she has largely remained out of the spotlight, her influence has been profound—balancing firm discipline with warmth and constant encouragement.
Semenyo has often recalled fond memories of time spent cooking with his mother and playing football with his father and brother, moments that helped mould both his character and work ethic.
According to reports by BBN Times, Dela Dzebu is a healthcare professional of French-Ghanaian descent and a former actress who appeared in 1990s films such as Step Dad and Lovin You, as noted by Ibrahim Saanie Daara.
Her recent appearance at Mawuli Senior High School’s 75th anniversary celebration sparked admiration on social media, with many praising her youthful looks and graceful presence. Her attendance at Semenyo’s Manchester City unveiling further highlighted the quiet but pivotal role she has played in nurturing one of Ghana’s brightest football talents.
Semenyo honours his father
In December 2025, Semenyo also made time to celebrate his father, Larry Semenyo, who turned 60 in London.
Dressed in white, the City forward was joined by his younger brother, Jai, as they danced and shared the moment with their father to Fameye’s song Very Soon—a reminder that family remains central to his story.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 9, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana international Antoine Semenyo completed his first training session with Manchester City today, Friday, January 9, 2026, officially marking his arrival at the club following a permanent transfer from AFC Bournemouth.
Earlier, Erling Haaland shared a selfie with Semenyo before the club released photos of him in training. The 25-year-old striker joined his new teammates on the pitch and is available for selection in Saturday’s FA Cup third-round match against Exeter City.
Semenyo’s signing was confirmed earlier on Friday, and his immediate involvement underscores both his commitment and Manchester City’s need for added attacking depth. Pep Guardiola confirmed in a pre-match press conference that Semenyo would be part of the matchday squad for the tie.
Known for his remarkable physical transformation and dedication to training, Semenyo arrives in impressive form, having scored 10 Premier League goals in 20 appearances for Bournemouth this season. His journey to the Etihad has been unconventional; while on loan at Bath City, he once trained with two different non-league teams in a single day to maintain his fitness.
The addition of Semenyo provides City with another potent attacking option as they navigate a congested schedule across multiple competitions.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 9, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, International, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
Nigeria’s U20 Women’s National Team, the Falconets, have resumed preparations in Abuja ahead of their upcoming FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup third-round qualifying clash with Senegal.
The team opened camp on Saturday, January 4, 2026, at the Westpoint Hotel, marking the start of an intensive training programme designed to sharpen team cohesion, tactical discipline, and physical conditioning.
Currently, 17 players are in camp, with additional invitees expected in the coming days to complete the squad. Head Coach Moses Aduku confirmed that training sessions are progressing well, with ongoing player assessments and structured drills aimed at achieving optimal performance levels.
The technical team is fine-tuning the programme with a focus on tactical organization, game intelligence, and overall team coordination as the Falconets gear up for the crucial qualifier.
Nigeria will host the first leg of the third-round fixture at Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, on Saturday, February 7, while the return leg is scheduled for Saturday, February 14, in Dakar, Senegal.
Success in these matches will determine qualification for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2026 in Poland.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 9, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Algeria have suffered a major setback in their AFCON 2025 campaign after central defender Mohamed Amine Tougaï was forced to leave the national team’s training camp due to injury.
Following consultations with the medical staff, the decision was taken to release Tougaï so he could begin an immediate treatment and recovery programme. His withdrawal leaves a significant gap in head coach Vladimir Petković’s defensive setup at a critical stage of the tournament.
The timing of the injury could hardly be worse for the Desert Foxes, who are intensifying preparations for a high-stakes quarterfinal showdown against Nigeria’s Super Eagles. With the knockout clash looming, Petković must now rethink his back line as Algeria aim to contain one of the tournament’s most potent attacks.
Tougaï’s absence adds to Algeria’s challenges as they seek a place in the semi-finals, while Nigeria will look to capitalize on any defensive disruption when the two African heavyweights meet.
