by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 15, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Ghanaian left-back Issahaku Yakubu turned heads in Egypt after a commanding performance that earned him a well-deserved place in the Egyptian Premier League Team of the Week.
The National Bank of Egypt SC defender was instrumental in their emphatic 3–0 triumph over Petrojet FC at the Petrosport Stadium on Sunday. Yakubu combined defensive grit with attacking flair, setting the tone for his side’s second win of the season.
His standout moment came in the 56th minute when he burst down the left flank and delivered a pinpoint cross that teammate Mostafa El Zenary expertly headed home to break the deadlock. The goal sparked a confident spell for Bank Al Ahly, who later doubled their lead through striker Ahmed Amin Oufa in the 79th minute. Midfielder Mahmoud Emad sealed the victory with a composed finish six minutes from time, crowning a dominant display.
Since the start of the 2025/26 campaign, Yakubu has grown into a pillar of consistency, blending defensive stability with attacking ambition. His latest accolade highlights the influence he brings to the squad and his determination to help Bank Al Ahly climb further up the table in the weeks ahead.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 15, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Galatasaray fans may see their star striker Victor Osimhen back in action sooner than expected as the Turkish champions prepare to face Eintracht Frankfurt in their opening Champions League clash.
The Super Eagles forward, 26, has been sidelined since picking up a bruised shin during Nigeria’s narrow 1–0 victory over Rwanda in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Uyo. Despite missing club action since that international break, Osimhen’s competitive fire hasn’t dimmed.
Reports from Turkish outlet Harbeler reveal that the Nigerian is determined to feature against the Bundesliga side—even if it means playing through discomfort. Sources close to the club say Osimhen has told manager Okan Buruk he is ready to “make sacrifices,” including taking a pain-relieving injection, to lead the line on Europe’s biggest stage.
It’s a matchup the striker relishes: Osimhen boasts an impressive record against Frankfurt, netting three goals in three previous encounters. His return could provide the spark Galatasaray need as they launch their continental campaign.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 15, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Villarreal head coach Marcelino says Thomas Partey is “mentally and technically prepared” to face Tottenham Hotspur in Tuesday night’s Champions League opener—despite the Ghanaian midfielder’s looming court date the following morning in London.
Partey, 32, who joined Villarreal on a free transfer after leaving Arsenal in the summer, is due at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday. He stands trial on five counts of rape involving two women and one count of sexual assault involving a third.
Yet Marcelino remains focused on football. Speaking at his pre-match press conference in north London, the Spanish manager praised Partey’s experience and quality, while stressing the need to respect the legal process.
> “I’m totally convinced he is mentally prepared, technically prepared, to play the game,” Marcelino said. “We’re interpreting and talking about a player who could be totally innocent. The important thing tomorrow is football.”
The coach confirmed that Partey had travelled with the squad but declined to reveal whether he will start, noting that his team typically learns the line-up only once inside the dressing room.
Villarreal’s travelling party also includes Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon, former Spurs defender Juan Foyth, and ex-Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe, adding extra intrigue to the encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 15, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Soccer
The stage is set for football’s most glamorous night. The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony will light up Paris on September 22, celebrating the world’s finest players for their performances from August 2024 through mid-2025.
Excitement is already in overdrive. Big names like Kylian Mbappé, fresh from his headline-grabbing switch to Real Madrid, and Erling Haaland, still smashing scoring records for fun, dominate early predictions. Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, continues to command attention with his midfield mastery. Add breakout stars from Euro 2024 and the Copa América, and the debate gets even hotter.
The women’s race promises fireworks too, after a season packed with Champions League brilliance and World Cup heroics.
Yet the biggest twist may come from Barcelona. France international Jules Koundé has boldly thrown his vote behind 18-year-old Lamine Yamal—even ahead of compatriots Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé.
“You put me in a delicate situation, because there is also Dembélé,” Koundé admitted to Le10Sport. “But I think Lamine Yamal deserves it. He’s a team player, works tirelessly, and understands the game perfectly.”
It’s hard to argue with the numbers: 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 matches, driving Barcelona to a glittering domestic treble—La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España.
With barely a week to go, the countdown is on. Will the golden ball land in the hands of a teenage prodigy, a record-smashing striker, or a midfield maestro? The world will be watching.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 15, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Thomas Partey cut a reflective figure after Villarreal’s 1–0 loss to Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano, a stadium that once echoed with his own cheers. The Ghanaian midfielder, who anchored Atletico’s midfield for years before joining Arsenal and later Villarreal, admitted the clash was “a difficult game,” but insisted the setback must become a lesson rather than a weight.
“We created enough chances to lead, but football can be cruel,” Partey told Sporty TV. “One mistake, one lost opportunity, and it costs you. That’s part of the game. We have to learn from this and keep improving.”
Despite the disappointment, Partey remains a pillar of experience for the Yellow Submarine. He is set for a quick turnaround, heading back to London for a midweek UEFA Champions League showdown with Tottenham Hotspur. Remarkably, his 44 appearances make him the most seasoned Champions League player in Villarreal’s current squad—proof that his voice carries authority when he calls for growth after defeat.
