by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 22, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana international Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah announced her arrival at Nottingham Forest Women with a brilliant debut strike, even as her side suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Women’s Championship at the City Ground.
The England-born Black Queens forward gave the home crowd something to cheer about late on, unleashing a powerful 20-yard shot to register Forest’s only goal of the afternoon. Her effort halved the deficit but came too late to rescue a point.
Crystal Palace had earlier seized control of the match, with Justine Vanhaevermaet opening the scoring in the 18th minute after lofting a clever finish over goalkeeper Emily Jane Batty. Midway through the first half, Kristy Howah doubled the visitors’ advantage with a sharp finish from a tight angle.
Despite the loss, Boye-Hlorkah’s performance was a bright spot for the Reds and a timely reminder of her attacking prowess. The 27-year-old is expected to be in Black Queens coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren’s squad for Ghana’s upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt next month.
Next up for Nottingham Forest is a clash with Portsmouth as they look to bounce back from their first defeat of the campaign.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 22, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Kamaldeen Sulemana announced himself to Serie A in style, delivering a performance that lit up the Gewiss Stadium and earned glowing praise from head coach Ivan Juric.
Making just his fourth league appearance for Atalanta since arriving from Southampton, the Ghanaian winger produced a pair of firsts: his maiden goal and his first assist in the black-and-blue shirt.
Midway through the first half, Sulemana broke free on the left and struck a scuffed effort that somehow carried both power and precision, rolling past the Torino goalkeeper to double Atalanta’s lead. He wasn’t done. Moments later, his teasing cross was met by Montenegrin striker Nikola Krstovic for a simple tap-in, sealing a dominant opening 45 minutes.
Juric was full of admiration for the 22-year-old’s all-round display. “They [Kamaldeen and Krstovic] came in super motivated,” the coach told the club’s media. “Kamaldeen played a great game today, both technically—in speed and quality—and in the defensive phase, where he worked very well.”
Sulemana lasted 87 minutes before making way, a stark contrast to midweek when he watched from the sidelines as Atalanta fell 4–0 to defending UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain. On this night, however, the Black Stars forward left no doubt about his growing importance to the Bergamo side.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 22, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Ademola Lookman finally stepped back onto the Serie A stage, adding a welcome subplot to Atalanta’s emphatic 3–0 triumph over Torino on Sunday evening.
The Nigerian forward, sidelined for weeks and only recently cleared for full training, entered the fray in the 87th minute to replace Ghanaian winger Kamaldeen Sulemana. His brief appearance was part of a triple substitution alongside Yunus Musah and Daniel Maldini, a late flourish in a game long decided.
Atalanta had seized control early with a blistering first-half onslaught. Nikola Krstovic opened the scoring on the half-hour mark, Sulemana doubled the advantage moments later, and Krstovic struck again in the 38th minute to complete his brace.
Torino rallied after the interval and looked poised to reduce the deficit when Duván Zapata won a penalty in the 73rd minute. But the Colombian striker fired wide, preserving the visitors’ clean sheet and ensuring a comfortable evening for Gian Piero Gasperini’s men.
The victory lifts Atalanta to fifth in the Serie A table with eight points, while Torino slip to 11th with four after suffering their second loss of the campaign. Next up, La Dea face a daunting trip to Juventus, as Torino prepare to host newly promoted Pisa.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 22, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
The University for Development Studies (UDS) carved its name into football history on a crisp evening in Dalian, China, becoming the first African university ever to reach the quarterfinals of the Universities World Football Tournament. In a thrilling Group C encounter, the Ghanaian champions dismantled Spain’s Ramon Llull University 4–1, dazzling the crowd with pace, precision, and panache.
From the outset, UDS showed no fear. After 14 minutes, right wing-back Renchi sliced through the Spanish defence to find Alhassan Zakaria, who calmly swept home the opener on his tournament debut. The Ghanaians dictated the tempo, with captain Mohammed Asigri and midfield partner Frimpong orchestrating slick passing moves, while defenders Ibrahim, Hamza, and Jonas kept goalkeeper Emmanuel Edo well protected.
Spain found a brief lifeline just before halftime when a towering header levelled the score at 1–1. But UDS emerged from the break sharper and hungrier. Two minutes in, Fawzan Dandawa weaved past defenders and set up Ezideen, who stroked a low shot into the corner for 2–1. The Ghanaians hit their stride, peppering the goal as Ezideen rattled the bar and forced frantic clearances.
The pressure finally broke Ramon Llull’s resistance in the 74th minute. Substitute Ibrahim Salifu threaded a through ball to Ezideen, who squared for Zakaria to tap in his second. Four minutes later, the dazzling Dandawa again turned creator, sliding a clever pass to substitute Ibrahim Saani, who coolly finished for 4–1.
With the result secure, Coach Ibrahim Tanko brought on fresh legs as UDS controlled the closing stages with composure that belied their debut status. At the final whistle, players and travelling supporters erupted in celebration, joined by UDS officials and African students who had cheered every pass and tackle.
“This is not just a win for UDS,” said an emotional Tanko. “It’s a victory for Ghana, for Africa, and for every young player dreaming big.”
With two wins from two matches, UDS advances to the quarterfinals, their next opponent to be decided in the final round of group fixtures. No matter who they face, this night in Dalian stands as a watershed moment for African university football.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 22, 2025 | Africa, Soccer, World Cup
The Tanzania U-20 Women’s National Team made a statement of intent in their quest for a place at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, cruising to a 4–0 first-leg victory over Angola at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.
From the first whistle, the Tanzanian ladies pressed high and dominated possession, forcing Angola deep into their own half. The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute when Diana William’s powerful run through the middle earned a penalty after she was fouled by Merly Guimarães. Winfrida Gerald stepped up and calmly dispatched the spot-kick into the top corner.
Six minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage. Hasnath Ubamba intercepted a loose pass in midfield and quickly released Jamila Rajabu, whose perfectly weighted ball found Winfrida again. The striker controlled brilliantly, beat her marker, and slotted low past Angolan goalkeeper Maria Muecalia for her brace.
Angola’s best chance came in the 31st minute when Maria Vieira’s free kick rattled the crossbar, but goalkeeper Zulfa Makau kept her clean sheet intact with several sharp stops.
After the break, Tanzania tightened their grip. Hasnath Ubamba curled a superb free kick into the net in the 54th minute, before sealing the emphatic win with another set-piece strike late on—her second of the match and Tanzania’s fourth.
The resounding victory places Tanzania in a commanding position heading into the return leg in Angola this Saturday. A draw, or any win, will see them advance to the next round of qualifiers.
