by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 25, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Atletico Madrid’s ambition to reunite Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman is gathering momentum, but finances could ultimately derail the high-profile move.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the La Liga giants hold genuine interest in signing Osimhen as they look to strengthen their attacking options. However, the Nigerian striker’s hefty wages present a major stumbling block.
Osimhen currently earns in the region of $15 million per season at Galatasaray — a figure that significantly exceeds Atletico Madrid’s established salary framework. The club is reportedly unwilling to disrupt its internal wage structure for a single player, maintaining strict adherence to its financial policies.
The key hurdle remains Osimhen’s contract situation. For the deal to materialize, the prolific forward would need to agree to a substantial pay cut — a scenario sources describe as highly improbable at this stage.
While the prospect of Osimhen linking up with fellow Super Eagles standout Ademola Lookman in Madrid is an exciting one, the financial gap between both parties remains the decisive factor in whether the move becomes reality.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 24, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
RC Celta de Vigo have completed the permanent signing of 19-year-old Ghanaian forward Bernard Somuah Sarpong from Asante Kotoko SC, securing the youngster on a contract that runs until June 2030.
Somuah initially arrived in Spain in August 2024 on a loan-to-buy agreement, but his impressive performances quickly activated the purchase clause, confirming him as a central figure in Celta’s long-term development strategy.
The teenager’s rise through the club’s renowned “Canteira Celeste” academy has been swift. After a short spell with the Juvenil A side, he earned promotion to the reserve team, Celta Fortuna, making his Primera Federación debut against Zamora CF on the opening day of the season.
Under coach Fredi Álvarez, the dynamic winger has become a key player for the reserves, clocking over 800 minutes in Spain’s third tier. His five goals showcase his explosive pace, dribbling ability, and confidence in one-on-one situations — qualities that have secured him a regular starting role.
Somuah has also played a crucial part in Celta Fortuna’s promotion charge, helping lift the side to second place with 48 points.
One of his standout moments came in a dramatic comeback victory over Talavera at Barreiro, where he fired home a stoppage-time winner to keep their promotion hopes alive.
With his future now secured until 2030, Somuah’s journey from Kumasi to Vigo represents another promising chapter for Ghanaian talent making waves in European football.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 24, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Soccer, World Cup
Romain Saïss has officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a distinguished career with the Morocco national football team.
The 35-year-old defender, who captained the Atlas Lions since 2019, confirmed his decision on Tuesday, February 24, describing it as the closing of “the most beautiful chapter” of his football journey.
Saïss featured in Morocco’s opening match at the 2025 AFCON against Comoros national football team but was forced off after just 19 minutes due to injury. He did not feature again during the tournament, including the final against Senegal national football team, where he remained on the bench.
Over nearly 14 years, the French-born centre-back earned 86 caps and became one of Morocco’s most influential leaders.
His crowning achievement came at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he captained the Atlas Lions to a historic semi-final finish — the first African nation to reach that stage of the tournament.
In an emotional message shared on Instagram, Saïss wrote:
“Dear fans of Morocco. Today, I close the most beautiful chapter of my football life. After careful consideration, it is with immense emotion that I announce my international retirement.
“Wearing the colours of Morocco and becoming its captain will remain the greatest honour of my career. For me, this jersey transcends sport: it’s a story of roots, family, and heart.”
His departure marks the end of an era for Moroccan football, with the veteran defender leaving behind a legacy of leadership, resilience, and historic achievement on the global stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 24, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
John Obi Mikel has urged his former manager José Mourinho to publicly address controversial comments involving Vinícius Júnior, stating that the veteran coach “got it wrong” and should apologise.
Mikel, who enjoyed some of the most successful years of his career under Mourinho at Chelsea FC, said he was surprised by remarks suggesting the Real Madrid winger should have acted differently amid a racism investigation.
According to the former Super Eagles captain, he expected a firm and unequivocal condemnation of racism rather than comments that appeared to question Vinícius’ celebrations. Mikel described the remarks as clumsy and out of character for a coach he knows personally.
“He will be the first to admit he messed up,” Mikel stated, while strongly defending Mourinho’s character. He insisted that during his time working with the Portuguese tactician, he never witnessed or experienced racist behaviour.
However, Mikel stressed that this is precisely why a clarification is necessary. In sensitive situations involving discrimination, he argued, influential figures in football must lead with clarity and responsibility.
He concluded by encouraging Mourinho to issue a statement and apologise — not as an attack, but as an opportunity to reaffirm his stance against racism in a sport that continues to confront the issue globally.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 24, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Soccer
John Obi Mikel has voiced strong concerns about Chelsea FC’s trajectory under new head coach Liam Rosenior, claiming the club have “gone five steps backwards” following recent league performances.
Speaking on his podcast, the former Blues midfielder suggested that Chelsea made a mistake by parting ways with Enzo Maresca, whom he believes had established a clear identity and winning formula at Stamford Bridge.
Mikel pointed to back-to-back league draws — a 1-1 result against Burnley FC and a 2-2 stalemate with Leeds United — as evidence of regression. Against Burnley, Chelsea took an early lead through João Pedro after a low delivery from Pedro Neto, but failed to capitalise on their bright start. Similarly, they squandered a 2-0 advantage against Leeds in the previous fixture.
“We had Enzo Maresca. I’ve said it, I think it was a massive mistake to sack him,” Mikel said. “We took a step forward, and we’ve gone five steps backwards. Liam has come in and he’s won games, but there is absolutely something that is missing.”
Despite Mikel’s criticism, Rosenior’s record suggests a relatively solid start, with eight wins in his opening 12 matches across all competitions. While recent dropped points have sparked debate, some view Mikel’s remarks as an emotional reaction rather than a reflection of long-term decline.
Chelsea now face mounting pressure to rediscover consistency as they aim to remain competitive in the title race.
