by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer, World Cup
Ghana’s Black Stars, four-time champions of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), have left fans in shock and dismay after failing to qualify for the 2025 edition of the tournament. This marks the first time in 20 years that the West African giants will miss out on the continental showpiece, with their last absence dating back to 2004.
In a dismal qualifying campaign, the Black Stars finished bottom of Group F, managing only three points from six matches. They lost three games and drew the remaining three, failing to secure a single win. The final blow came in a 2-1 defeat to Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium, a match played before a nearly empty crowd—a stark reflection of fans’ frustration.
The lackluster performances have triggered widespread outrage among Ghanaians, many of whom are calling for the dismissal of head coach Otto Addo. Critics argue that his tactics and leadership failed to inspire the team during the qualifiers.
With the AFCON dream now shattered, the Black Stars must refocus on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, set to resume in March 2026. However, questions remain about whether the team can rebuild and regain the trust of their passionate fanbase.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Kelechi Iheanacho, the Super Eagles and Sevilla striker, is determined to turn his fortunes around after a challenging period in both club and international football. The 28-year-old has faced a significant dip in form, with just three goals scored in the past year, both for Sevilla and the Nigerian national team. Despite his struggles, including underwhelming performances during the recent international break, where he was substituted at halftime in both matches, Iheanacho is resolute in his desire to improve.
Reflecting on his recent form, Iheanacho shared his thoughts on the difficulties of football when not at one’s best. He emphasized that the sport is not as easy as it might seem from the outside, with much hard work required in both training and matches. “When you are not at your best, it feels very hard, and that is when people think it’s difficult,” he admitted. Despite these challenges, Iheanacho is focused on working through this rough patch.
The former Leicester City forward is also looking ahead to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and is eager to help the Super Eagles reach the final after a second-place finish in Ivory Coast earlier this year. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to win it,” Iheanacho said. He acknowledged the tough competition, but expressed confidence in his team’s abilities and looked forward to their next AFCON campaign.
As he gears up for Sevilla’s next match against Rayo Vallecano, Iheanacho will be hoping to score his debut La Liga goal at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his journey.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
The race for the 2024 Africa Player of the Year award has reached its climax, with Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams making the final shortlist. Announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Monday, the list includes five contenders: Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, and Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, alongside Lookman and Williams.
Despite leading Nigeria to a silver medal at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, who was named AFCON’s Most Valuable Player, missed out on the final cut. His exclusion came after a season plagued by injuries, which disrupted his club form despite clinching a league title with PAOK before transferring to Saudi Arabian club Al-Kholood in the summer.
Meanwhile, Lookman’s stellar performances have put him as one of the top contenders for the prestigious accolade. The Atalanta winger played a key role in Nigeria’s AFCON campaign, scoring vital goals, and cemented his legacy by securing a historic hat-trick in the Europa League final to help Atalanta win their first-ever European trophy.
South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has also made a compelling case for the award with his impressive form for both club and country. His leadership between the posts has been vital in many of his team’s successes, putting him on track to possibly win the prestigious title.
The winners across all categories will be revealed at a glittering ceremony in Marrakesh, Morocco, on December 16, celebrating the finest talents in African football.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
Nigerian football fans were left disappointed as the Super Eagles suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat to Rwanda in a dead-rubber AFCON qualifier last evening. Interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen made the bold decision to bench star striker Victor Osimhen, instead starting Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, but the gamble failed to pay off.
Boniface, who has been in scintillating form for Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, and DFL Super Cup since joining in 2023, failed to replicate his club heroics in the green and white of Nigeria. The 23-year-old forward managed just one shot on target in a frustrating ninety minutes that left fans clamoring for his exclusion from the squad.
Addressing the media post-match, Eguavoen stood firmly behind the underperforming striker, expressing his belief in Boniface’s abilities while acknowledging his struggles.
“Boniface, we all know what he’s capable of doing, especially for his club,” Eguavoen explained. “When he comes back here, we try to give him a lot of confidence and playing time, but he’s not hitting the back of the net for whatever reason.
I’ve spoken to him personally many times. I’m someone who wants to give players confidence. I’ve done enough, but he’s still part of the squad and will remain a part of the squad.”
Eguavoen’s comments reflect his patient approach to handling players and his commitment to developing the team as they prepare for crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. However, with fans growing restless, Boniface will need to rediscover his scoring touch quickly to silence the critics.
The Super Eagles will have another opportunity to make amends against Rwanda during the next international break as they aim to solidify their path to the global stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The Fall and the Promise
The Black Stars, once a beacon of African football pride, now find themselves at a crossroads following a shocking 2-1 defeat to Niger in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The loss sealed Ghana’s fate, leaving them at the bottom of Group F and out of contention for the tournament in Morocco.
For a team with such a storied history, the results have been nothing short of a heartbreak. Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku, in an emotional post, admitted that the national team has hit a low point and that drastic action is needed to restore its standing.
“From the highest heights of world football on the 29th of March 2022 to the lowest ebb of AFCON qualifying matches. My heart bleeds,” Okraku wrote, referencing the Black Stars’ World Cup qualification just two years ago. “This is not what we want or what we bargained for. At this point, only cool heads can win, and we, as leaders of our sport, will stay together, be honest with ourselves, and fix this problem.”
Okraku appealed to the hearts of Ghanaians, calling for unity and patience. He acknowledged the frustrations of fans while emphasizing the long-term effort required to rebuild the team.
“The road to full recovery after normalization is bumpy and rough, but our collective efforts and patience will win. Ghana, our beloved country, will win. As a Black Stars fan and as the leader, I share in your pain and our pain. We will rise from this temporary setback. It shall be well.”
As the dust settles, the question remains: How will Ghana rebuild its path to glory? Okraku’s words suggest a leadership committed to reform, but the journey ahead will demand collaboration from all stakeholders.
For now, the once-mighty Black Stars are left with lessons to learn and a future to reclaim.
