by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 21, 2025 | Africa, Athletics, Ghana, USA
Under the dazzling lights of Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium, Ghana’s men’s 4×100 m relay team ran with the courage of champions and the speed of lightning—yet missed the podium by the slimmest of margins.
Ibrahim Fuseini, Benjamin Azamati, Joseph Paul Amoah, and Abdul-Rasheed Saminu lined up against sprinting giants from across the globe and delivered their fastest performance of the season, a blistering 37.93 seconds. The crowd roared as the baton exchanges flowed seamlessly, keeping Ghana right in the medal mix until the very last stride.
The United States stormed to gold in 37.29 seconds, Canada snatched silver with 37.55, and the Netherlands edged Ghana for bronze in a national-record 37.81. For a heartbeat, the Ghanaian quartet looked destined for the podium, only to watch the orange vests of the Dutch surge ahead in the final metres.
Yet, amid the sting of a fourth-place finish, there was triumph. Ghana outran several traditional sprinting powerhouses and confirmed its ascent as a global sprint force. With Azamati and Amoah anchoring the country’s sprint revolution, the future shines bright—casting hopeful eyes toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where unfinished business awaits.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 21, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
The European transfer market is already buzzing months before January, with fresh reports linking some of the game’s biggest names to headline-grabbing moves. Here’s the latest from across the continent.
Manchester United have reportedly tabled a sensational proposal to Real Madrid: a €50 million (£43.6 million) bid for midfield dynamo Federico Valverde that would also see teenage star Kobbie Mainoo move to the Bernabéu. While United are keen, insiders suggest Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are more realistic destinations for Mainoo should he leave Old Trafford. Juventus and Roma are also monitoring the 19-year-old and could move for a loan if his minutes remain limited.
Elsewhere in Spain, Arsenal face a growing battle to keep William Saliba. The defender’s camp has rejected the club’s latest contract offer, prompting Real Madrid to circle. Reports indicate the Frenchman is open to “a new project,” with Madrid prepared to negotiate at around €80 million (£69.7 million).
Chelsea, meanwhile, have cooled their pursuit of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guéhi after learning the England international favours a switch to Liverpool. Yet Guéhi is also flirting with a free-transfer move to Real Madrid next summer, adding another twist to the saga.
Other whispers:
Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk, currently banned after a positive doping test, is said to be considering a shock career change to sprinting with the 2028 Olympics in mind.
Manchester City will reportedly demand well over £150 million ($202 million) if Barcelona attempt to prise Erling Haaland away next summer.
Newcastle United have enquired about taking Real Madrid prodigy Endrick on loan in January.
Aston Villa remain keen on AC Milan’s Alexis Saelemaekers despite his expected new deal.
Under-pressure West Ham boss Graham Potter has held informal talks with former Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo.
Barcelona sporting director Deco is quietly working to lure Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Veteran striker Luis Suárez has even sounded out compatriot Ronald Araújo about swapping Barcelona for Liverpool next summer.
Real Madrid, for their part, have warned Saudi suitors that only a full €1 billion release clause will unlock Vinícius Júnior in 2026.
With months still to go before the January window opens, these stories are certain to evolve—but the early signals point to another blockbuster period of transfers ahead.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 21, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Tottenham Hotspur’s dramatic 2–2 draw away to Brighton on 20 September 2025 was a night of milestones—and one that firmly underlined Mohammed Kudus’ growing influence in English football.
With Spurs trailing 2–0, the Ghanaian international sparked a fightback, calmly threading a pass for Richarlison to score just before half-time. That moment of precision not only changed the game’s momentum but also placed Kudus alongside some of the Premier League’s most creative names.
According to league statistics, the assist was Kudus’ 12th in the Premier League, matching the career tallies of Barcelona star Raphinha during his Leeds United days and Chelsea playmaker Enzo Fernández. For a player still settling into life at Tottenham after a high-profile move from West Ham United, the achievement is a statement: Kudus can produce at the highest level.
His start to the 2025/26 campaign has been quietly impressive—three assists in seven matches—despite the absence of a first goal. Early critics questioned whether the Nima-born midfielder could adapt to Thomas Frank’s system, but his blend of flair, work rate, and decision-making is quickly silencing doubts.
Saturday’s match itself was a rollercoaster. Brighton, inspired by Yankuba Minteh and a thunderous Yasin Ayari strike, looked certain to extend their home streak. Yet Kudus’ incisive pass lifted Spurs back into contention, and a late equaliser from Wilson Odobert ensured Tottenham escaped with a valuable point.
Kudus may still be chasing his first goal in North London, but joining the company of Raphinha and Enzo proves his creative influence is already elite—a sign of even greater heights to come.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 21, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
The summer arrival of Mohammed Kudus had Tottenham Hotspur fans buzzing. Signed from West Ham United for £55 million, the Ghanaian winger was billed as the final piece to sharpen Spurs’ attack. On opening day, he seemed to justify every pound, delivering two assists in a 3–1 win over Burnley and dazzling with his quick feet and clever link-up play.
Six Premier League games later, Kudus’ creativity is still evident, but one key number remains stubbornly at zero: goals. And that is beginning to draw attention in North London.
Tottenham’s attack, meanwhile, is thriving without a single focal point. Richarlison and Brennan Johnson have already netted twice each, while defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, plus midfielders João Palhinha, Pape Matar Sarr, and Lucas Bergvall, have all chipped in. The goals are flowing—from everywhere except the right wing where Kudus operates.
Ghanaian analyst Alhaji Mahama believes the lack of end product could soon test the 24-year-old’s place in Thomas Frank’s starting XI. “For Kudus, finding the back of the net consistently will be key to thriving at Tottenham,” Mahama told Sportsblog247.com. “West Ham let him go partly because his numbers last season didn’t stand out. At Spurs, he cannot afford a repeat if he wants to establish himself.”
Frank, blessed with in-form attacking options, may have a selection dilemma ahead of upcoming fixtures. If Kudus fails to break his duck, the manager could be tempted to rotate—especially with competition fierce on the flanks.
For now, the Ghanaian international remains a crowd favourite for his vision and drive. But as the season unfolds, turning that artistry into goals will be crucial if he is to remain indispensable in a Tottenham side rich with scorers.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 21, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
On a cool Saturday night in Charleroi, 19-year-old Ghanaian striker Joseph Opoku announced himself to Belgian top-flight football. The Ghana U20 forward netted his first Belgian Pro League goal to spark Zulte Waregem’s spirited 2-1 comeback against Sporting Charleroi.
The hosts struck first after 15 minutes when German midfielder Patrick Pflücke latched onto an Etienne Camara pass to put Charleroi ahead. But the match tilted nine minutes later when Syrian defender Aiham Ousou received a straight red card, giving the newly promoted visitors a crucial numerical edge.
Opoku, who has quietly impressed since the start of the season, seized the moment in the 62nd minute. Timing his run to perfection, he buried a composed finish to bring Waregem level and ignite the away supporters. His movement and energy continued to trouble the ten-man hosts until he was substituted in the 77th minute, his night’s work complete.
With momentum firmly on their side, Zulte Waregem pressed for a winner. Deep into stoppage time, veteran forward Jelle Van Vossen pounced on a clever assist from Nigerian striker Anosike Ementa to complete the turnaround and seal all three points.
For Opoku, it was a milestone evening: his first top-flight goal in just eight appearances, adding to a growing tally that already includes three assists. His compatriot Raymond Asante watched from the Charleroi bench, but all eyes were on Opoku as the Black Satellites prospect celebrated a breakthrough moment in Belgium.
