by Emmanuel Atanga | Oct 8, 2025 | Africa, International, Soccer, World Cup
Cape Verde produced a spirited second-half comeback to earn a dramatic 3-3 draw against Libya in Tripoli, extending their unbeaten run and tightening their grip on top spot in Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The match burst into life within seconds as Cape Verde defender Roberto Lopes turned the ball into his own net, gifting Libya an early advantage. The hosts, buoyed by the home crowd, pushed for more, with Fadel Mansour and Maruwan Al Hbeishi both coming close in the opening 20 minutes.
The Blue Sharks, however, found their rhythm midway through the first half, and Telmo Arcanjo restored parity in the 29th minute with a well-placed finish. After the break, Libya once again seized control—Ezoo El Mariamy struck in the 52nd minute before Mahmoud Al Shalwi made it 3-1 six minutes later, putting the Mediterranean Knights in command.
But Cape Verde refused to fold. Sidny Cabral ignited the comeback with a precise finish in the 67th minute, and with the clock winding down, Willy Semedo delivered the crucial equaliser to silence the Tripoli crowd.
The draw means Cape Verde now sit five points clear at the top of the group, maintaining their momentum toward a potential first-ever World Cup appearance. Libya, meanwhile, will rue the missed opportunity to close the gap after a promising start.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Oct 6, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Soccer, World Cup
Liverpool are bracing for a challenging festive period as star forward Mohamed Salah prepares to join Egypt for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The tournament, which kicks off on December 21, 2025, will see Salah depart for national team duty at least a week prior, ruling him out of several key fixtures during one of the most demanding stretches of Liverpool’s season.
Manager Arne Slot will have to navigate through a congested December and early January schedule without his talisman, who could miss up to five Premier League matches — and potentially more, depending on Egypt’s progress in the competition.
Matches Salah Will Miss
Dec 13, 2025 – Brighton (Home)
Dec 20, 2025 – Tottenham (Away)
Dec 27, 2025 – Wolves (Home)
Dec 30, 2025 – Leeds (Home)
Jan 3, 2026 – Fulham (Away)
Egypt’s Group Stage Fixtures (Group B)
Dec 22, 2025 – Egypt vs Zimbabwe
Dec 26, 2025 – Egypt vs South Africa
Dec 29, 2025 – Angola vs Egypt
Should Egypt advance to the knockout rounds, Salah’s absence could extend into mid-to-late January, potentially causing him to miss clashes against Arsenal (Jan 7) and Burnley (Jan 17), and even the AFC Bournemouth (Jan 24) encounter if Egypt reach the final.
Speaking ahead of the Community Shield, Arne Slot admitted the club had planned for Salah’s AFCON involvement. He highlighted Jeremie Frimpong and Federico Chiesa as possible replacements during that period.
> “We definitely thought about that (Salah being away at AFCON),” Slot said.
“Jeremie Frimpong can play at right-back or as a winger, and with Chiesa’s form, we have options. We’ll miss Mo for up to six games — that’s a lot, especially considering his impact last season.”
Liverpool will now rely on squad depth and tactical adaptability to maintain momentum in Salah’s absence — a period that could prove decisive in their Premier League title ambitions.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Oct 6, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Ghanaian football is mourning yet another tragedy following reports that the body of former Black Starlets hero Kofi Nimo has been withheld by the Ridge Hospital due to unpaid medical bills.
Nimo, who was a member of Ghana’s 1991 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning team, passed away on September 3, 2025, at the age of 51, after a long battle with illness.
However, weeks after his death, his grieving family says they have been unable to retrieve his body for burial as the hospital insists on payment of the outstanding bills accumulated during his treatment.
The situation has left his relatives — including his young son — devastated and pleading for public support to enable them to give the late football icon a dignified farewell.
Kofi Nimo’s name remains etched in Ghana’s football history as part of the team that brought the country its first-ever FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy, inspiring generations of young talents.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Oct 6, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Ghana’s World Cup dream is alive and roaring once again — and with Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo leading the charge, the Black Stars are sending a clear message: nothing will stop them on the road to North America 2026.
With a three-point cushion atop Group I, Otto Addo’s men are just one win away from sealing qualification for their fifth FIFA World Cup. The decisive double-header begins on Wednesday against the Central African Republic (CAR) in Meknès, Morocco, before a potential celebration night in Accra against Comoros on October 12 — the only side to have beaten Ghana in this qualifying campaign.
⚡ Kudus and Semenyo in Scorching Form
The timing couldn’t be better. Both Kudus and Semenyo are firing on all cylinders in the Premier League, setting the tone for Ghana’s crucial qualifiers.
Antoine Semenyo was the star of the show last Friday, bagging a brace and an assist in Bournemouth’s thrilling 3–1 comeback win over Fulham. With six goals and three assists in just seven league games this season, the 25-year-old has become one of England’s most dangerous forwards — a form Ghana will be desperate to see replicated in national colors.
Kudus, meanwhile, is thriving under the bright lights at Tottenham Hotspur. The £63 million summer signing finally opened his Premier League goal account with a match-winning strike against Leeds United, after assisting the opener. Now with five direct goal involvements for Spurs, the midfield maestro remains Ghana’s heartbeat heading into the must-win clashes.
“The 2010 World Cup showed what Ghana can do,” Kudus reflected. “We believe this team can go even further — but first, we have to qualify. Nothing less.”
Comeback Kings Return
Adding to the firepower is Leicester City’s Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, who has bounced back from a serious ACL injury to become one of the Championship’s most exciting players this season — three goals and an assist tell the story of a star reborn.
His resurgence has inspired his Black Stars teammates, including defender Alidu Seidu, who returns to the squad after a year on the sidelines. “It’s amazing to see Fatawu come back stronger,” Seidu told Flashscore.com. “It motivates all of us.”
One Step from Glory
Ghana’s 24-man squad features the return of familiar faces like Thomas Partey, Joseph Paintsil, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and skipper Jordan Ayew, alongside home-based stars Benjamin Asare and Prince Owusu. Otto Addo has opted for continuity, sticking with the group that battled past Mali and Chad to stay on course for the World Cup.
The only concern is the fitness of Iñaki Williams, who picked up a knock while scoring for Athletic Bilbao at the weekend.
Still, belief runs deep in camp. Ghana’s qualifying journey has been gritty and determined rather than glamorous — but with just 90 minutes separating them from another World Cup ticket, the Black Stars stand ready to rise again and reaffirm their place among Africa’s football elite.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Oct 6, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Madagascar midfielder El Hadary Raheriniaina has reaffirmed his nation’s burning ambition to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, declaring that the Barea will “do everything” to make their dream a reality.
Currently sitting three points behind Ghana’s Black Stars in Group I, Madagascar faces crucial fixtures against Comoros and Mali as they chase a historic first-ever World Cup appearance.
Speaking to FIFA.com, Raheriniaina expressed confidence and belief in his team’s resilience, recalling how Madagascar defied the odds to reach the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals.
> “Madagascar have already competed once in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019, so playing in a World Cup would be incredible. It would be a dream come true,” he said.
“The goal is to win our matches against Comoros and Mali, and the rest depends on Ghana because I think that one win will be enough for them to qualify. Their destiny is in their own hands. All we can do is try to win our matches and see what happens.”
With a potential play-off spot available for the best runners-up across groups, Raheriniaina insists Madagascar remains focused and ready for any scenario that could bring them closer to football’s biggest stage.
