by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 22, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian footballers lit up leagues across the globe over the weekend, with strikers Jerry Afriyie and Douglas Owusu leading the headlines after each grabbed a brace, while Joseph Paintsil and Kamaldeen Sulemana delivered decisive goal-and-assist performances.
England
In the Premier League, Mohammed Kudus set up a goal as Tottenham Hotspur battled to a thrilling 2–2 draw with Brighton. Antoine Semenyo impressed for Bournemouth in a goalless stalemate against Newcastle, while Championship action saw Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Jordan Ayew, and Brandon Thomas-Asante feature in Leicester’s 0–0 draw with Coventry.
Germany
Ghanaians enjoyed a fruitful Bundesliga weekend. Ilyas Ansah scored for Union Berlin in their emphatic 4–1 away win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Jan Gyamerah netted for Elversberg in a 4–3 victory over Eintracht Braunschweig, while Ransford Yeboah Königsdörffer helped Hamburg to a 2–1 win.
Italy
Atalanta’s Kamaldeen Sulemana inspired a 3–0 triumph at Torino with a goal and an assist. Elsewhere, Tariq Lamptey’s full Fiorentina debut ended after just 22 minutes with a knee injury in a 2–1 defeat to Como, while Alfred Duncan saw red as Venezia lost 2–1 to Cesena.
France
In Ligue 1, Alidu Seidu started for Rennes in a 2–2 draw with Nantes, while Augustine Boakye starred in Ligue 2, providing two assists as Saint-Étienne edged Reims 3–2.
Belgium & Serbia
Jerry Afriyie struck twice to power Raal La Louvière to a 2–1 away win over OH Leuven. In Serbia, Douglas Owusu also bagged a brace in FK Radnik Surdulica’s 3–1 triumph against Napredak.
USA
Across the Atlantic, Joseph Paintsil continued his hot streak for LA Galaxy, scoring and assisting in a narrow 3–2 defeat to FC Cincinnati.
From Denmark to Turkey, Sweden to the Czech Republic, Ghanaian stars turned in strong performances—whether through commanding defensive displays, creative midfield contributions, or clutch goals.
With braces from Afriyie and Douglas Owusu, plus standout attacking efforts from Kamaldeen and Paintsil, the weekend showcased Ghana’s deep talent pool across Europe and beyond.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 22, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana defender Tariq Lamptey faces an anxious wait after picking up a knee injury during Fiorentina’s 2–1 Serie A loss to Como at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday.
Making his first start for the Viola since a summer move to Italy—and just his second appearance overall—the 24-year-old’s evening ended prematurely when he went down after only 22 minutes. Club medics have scheduled scans on Monday to determine the severity of the injury.
Lamptey had been eager to establish himself in the Italian top flight after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion, and will hope the setback is not a lengthy one as he bids to cement a spot in Fiorentina’s starting lineup.
The match itself turned sour for Stefano Pioli’s men despite a dream start. Midfielder Rolando Mandragora fired Fiorentina ahead early, but visiting Como, managed by Spanish legend Cesc Fàbregas, staged a spirited second-half comeback. Marc-Oliver Kempf equalised in the 65th minute before Dutch-born Ghanaian striker Jayden Addai snatched a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time, sealing back-to-back defeats for the Viola.
Lamptey’s injury will also concern Ghana coach Otto Addo, with key international fixtures looming on the Black Stars’ calendar.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 22, 2025 | Africa, International, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
Benin Republic’s preparations for next month’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers have been dealt a heavy setback after teenage forward Rodolfo Aloko was ruled out with a knee injury.
The 18-year-old Charlotte FC talent limped off during Benin’s 1–0 win over Lesotho on Matchday 8, collapsing in the 50th minute before being stretchered off. It was only his second consecutive start for the Cheetahs, but he had already made an impact by providing his first assist at senior international level.
Head coach Gernot Rohr confirmed on local station Canal 3 Benin that scans revealed a meniscus injury requiring surgery. “Unfortunately, we have a more serious injury, that of Rodolfo. He needs surgery and will likely miss the upcoming matches in October,” Rohr said. “It’s sad news because he was improving, with two very convincing performances.”
Aloko’s absence leaves Benin without one of their most exciting young attacking options for the crunch clashes away to Rwanda and then against Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Uyo.
Despite the setback, the Cheetahs remain firmly in contention for a historic World Cup spot. They sit second in Group C on 14 points, just three behind leaders South Africa—and could yet move top if FIFA upholds a disciplinary complaint that might deduct three points and three goals from the Bafana Bafana for fielding ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena in March’s 2–0 win over Lesotho.
Benin travel to Kigali for Matchday 9 before closing their qualifying campaign with the high-stakes encounter against Nigeria in October, hoping to keep their dream of a first-ever World Cup appearance alive.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 22, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Soccer
African club football served up a feast of drama on Sunday as the preliminary rounds of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup delivered goals, upsets, and first-leg statements.
Across the continent, 13 CAF Champions League fixtures lit up the day. Six clubs struck early blows in their quest for a coveted group-stage berth. Mali’s Stade Malien silenced AS Tempête Mocaf with a ruthless 5–0 away win, while Espérance Sportive de Tunis flexed their pedigree by cruising past AS-FAN 3–0. Tunisia’s Monastir joined the party with a 4–0 demolition of East End Lions in Sierra Leone. Nigeria’s Remo Stars thrilled their home crowd with a resounding 4–0 victory over Zilimadjou of Comoros, as Zimbabwe’s Simba Bhora edged Nsingizini Hotspurs 1–0 and Morocco’s AS FAR sealed a confident 2–0 triumph at Real Banjul.
Not everyone had it their own way. Seven encounters finished level, five of them goalless—including cagey affairs like Jamus versus Al Hilal and Colombe against Jaraaf—leaving everything to play for in the return legs.
The Champions League action isn’t done yet. Two first-leg matches remain: FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo host Al Merrikh SC in Lubumbashi on Saturday, while defending champions Pyramids FC kick off their title defence on Wednesday, 1 October, against APR in Kigali.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, six clubs also took early control. Somali outfit Dekedaha edged Al-Zamala 1–0, Mighty Wanderers of Malawi matched that scoreline over Jwaneng Galaxy, and Zanzibar’s KMKM earned a 2–1 away win at AS du Port. Congo’s AS Otohô pulled off a fine 2–1 triumph at Angola’s 1º de Agosto, while Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko treated fans to a seven-goal thriller, outlasting Nigeria’s Kwara United 4–3 in Kumasi.
The day’s standout story came from Equatorial Guinea, where 15 de Agosto stormed into the second preliminary round with a commanding 4–0 home win over Seychellois side Foresters, completing a 4–1 aggregate rout.
Four Confederation Cup ties ended all square—Abia Warriors 1–1 Djoliba, Clube Ferroviário de Maputo 1–1 AS Fanalamanga, Black Man Warrior 0–0 Coton Sport Benin, and Génération Foot 1–1 AFAD Djékanou—leaving their fates finely balanced ahead of the second legs beginning Wednesday, 24 September, and running through Sunday, 5 October.
Sunday proved once again why CAF’s interclub competitions are some of Africa’s most unpredictable spectacles—where giants can stumble, newcomers can dazzle, and every goal can rewrite the script.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 22, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian forward Kwaku Karikari celebrated his first goal in the Serbian Super Liga on Saturday, even as FK Zeleznicar Pancevo suffered a 3–1 home defeat to OFK Beograd in Round 9 of the 2025/26 season.
On loan from Danish Superliga club AC Horsens, the 21-year-old struck in the 31st minute at the FC Mladost Stadium, calmly converting an Aleksa Kuljanin assist to cancel out an earlier opener from Beograd’s Dutch attacker Jay Enem. Karikari’s finish briefly lifted the home crowd, but the visitors soon regained control.
Enem completed his brace shortly after the break to restore Beograd’s lead, and a late stoppage-time penalty from Nikola Knezevic sealed Zeleznicar’s loss.
Karikari’s compatriot, defender Abdul Razak Yussif, played the full 90 minutes for the hosts. The young Ghanaian forward now has five league appearances this term, tallying one goal and one assist as he adjusts to life in Serbia’s top flight and pushes to become an integral part of the squad.
Recommended Drinks to Toast the Milestone:
Fresh Hibiscus Iced Tea: A nod to Ghana’s beloved sobolo, perfect for a refreshing post-match cool-down.
Serbian Raspberry Rakija (for adults): A local fruit brandy to celebrate his maiden goal in true Balkan style.
Classic Lemonade: Light and zesty, ideal for a casual team gathering after a hard-fought match.
