by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 9, 2025 | Africa, International, Soccer, World Cup
Exclusive reports from @rehamhamdii and @Sportsblog247.com confirm that Mohamed Salah will fly straight from Burkina Faso to England on a private jet. The Egyptian captain will not return to Cairo with the national team following their World Cup qualifying fixture.
This move highlights the special arrangements made for the Liverpool superstar as he balances national duty with club commitments, ensuring minimal travel strain during a critical stage of the season.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 9, 2025 | Africa, International, Soccer, World Cup
Mohamed Salah and his Egyptian side are now just two points away from sealing automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with two crucial games left to play.
The Liverpool talisman has been nothing short of sensational in the qualifiers, carrying the Pharaohs with both his goals and leadership. Salah’s stats tell the story of a man on a mission:
Matches played: 8
Goals scored: 7
Assists delivered: 3
From dazzling footwork to decisive finishes, Salah has once again proven why he is Egypt’s king, inching his nation closer to the world’s biggest football stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 9, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Ghana’s narrow 1-0 victory over Mali in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers was a night of mixed emotions for Inaki Williams.
The Athletic Bilbao forward, who had started on the bench following his below-par outing against Chad, was introduced in the second half alongside Kamaldeen Sulemana and Joseph Paintsil as Otto Addo looked to inject pace and creativity into the Black Stars’ attack.
But with the game edging toward its final moments, frustration boiled over. Ghana launched a counterattack, and Sulemana surged forward with the ball, with Inaki sprinting into space on the opposite flank. The move promised a golden opportunity to kill off the game, yet the Southampton winger ignored his teammate’s clever run and opted for a speculative shot. His effort sailed wide, wasting the chance and drawing a visibly angry reaction from Inaki, who threw his hands up in disbelief.
Despite the miscommunication, Ghana held on for the vital three points, moving top of Group I with 19 points after eight games. Madagascar trail with 16, Comoros with 15, while Mali’s loss leaves them fourth with 12 points. The Black Stars now stand in pole position to seal automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 9, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
On a night when football meant more than tactics, Mali’s head coach Tom Saintfiet found himself applauding not just his opponents on the pitch but also the sea of voices that roared from the stands.
Friday evening’s 1-0 defeat to Ghana in the 2026 World Cup qualifier was a bitter pill for the Belgian tactician, but he could not overlook the thunderous energy that filled the Accra Sports Stadium. Even with its capacity reduced by ongoing renovations, the place was packed with passion. Every chant, every drumbeat, every cheer turned the stadium into a fortress.
“Congratulations to all the people in Ghana with the victory,” Saintfiet admitted, visibly impressed. “It was a fantastic atmosphere in the stadium. Ghana didn’t play with 11 players but 12 or 13 — and that helps the team.”
The Black Stars, lifted by their home crowd, now sit proudly atop Group I with 19 points, just four shy of guaranteeing their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, Mali’s hopes have dimmed, but Saintfiet’s graciousness told its own story: this was a night when football was about more than goals — it was about a nation’s heartbeat echoing through every corner of the stadium.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 9, 2025 | Africa, International, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has voiced his displeasure over the condition of the pitch at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa.
Arriving late in South Africa, Chelle lamented the team’s lack of preparation time, revealing they had only one training session before the encounter.
“We had no time to prepare for this game because we travelled and arrived late. So, we had just one training session,” Chelle told Super Sports. “Now we need to prepare on the pitch. We prepared mentally, but for sure, because of this pitch, we need to be ready mentally. And I’m very disappointed about this pitch. The two teams deserve a great pitch. South Africa play very well, they have a great team.”
Despite his concerns, CAF gave final approval for the match to proceed on the disputed surface. The Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana now face off in a high-stakes clash where the pitch conditions may yet play a decisive role.
