by Emmanuel Atanga | Aug 19, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer
Algeria have sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a tense 0-0 draw against Niger in their final Group C clash.
The North Africans, runners-up in the 2022 edition, only needed a point to progress, and despite dominating large spells of the game, they were frustrated by Niger’s disciplined defensive setup. The result was enough to see Algeria finish second in the group, narrowly advancing on goal difference.
Uganda topped the group with seven points following an entertaining 3-3 draw with South Africa. Despite the draw, South Africa were eliminated, finishing level on six points with Algeria but falling short due to an inferior goal difference.
With a spot in the knockout rounds now secured, Algeria will be aiming to sharpen their attack if they are to mount another deep run in the tournament.
CHAN 2024 Ticket Information:
Kenya: chan.mookh.com – Ordinary Ksh. 200 | VIP Ksh. 500 | VVIP Ksh. 1,000
Uganda: chan.tkt.ug – Ordinary UGX 10,000 | VIP UGX 30,000 | VVIP UGX 50,000
Tanzania: chantz.kimtandao.co.tz
by Emmanuel Atanga | Aug 19, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Nigeria’s CHAN 2024 campaign comes to a close today, August 19, as the home-based Super Eagles face DR Congo in a decisive Group D clash at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam.
For Nigeria, the mission is simple — avoid leaving the tournament without a point. After back-to-back defeats to Senegal (0-1) and Sudan (0-4), Éric Chelle’s men have already been eliminated. Their hopes now rest on restoring pride and ending a six-year winless run in the competition.
The stakes are far higher for DR Congo. Twice winners of the tournament, the Leopards sit third in the group with two points after successive 1-1 draws against Sudan and Senegal. A win is their only path to the quarter-finals, while a draw or defeat will send them home.
Rivalry renewed
Although the two nations have met just five times at senior level since 1966, results have been evenly split. Nigeria have claimed two wins, Congo two, and one ended in a draw. However, this marks their first-ever meeting at CHAN, adding a new chapter to their rivalry.
Contrasting form
Nigeria’s struggles in front of goal remain glaring — they have now gone over 340 minutes without scoring at CHAN. Meanwhile, Congo have shown resilience, striking late when needed and keeping themselves alive in the group. Their disciplined 4-2-3-1 system, spearheaded by the likes of Carly Ekongo and Dechan Moussavou, offers both defensive solidity and quick transitions.
The tactical battle
Chelle is expected to persist with his 4-4-2 diamond setup, seeking width from full-backs like Sodiq Ismail and link-up play through midfielders Olamilekan Adedayo and Tochukwu Michael. But creativity and composure in attack remain their biggest concerns.
Ngatsono’s Leopards, on the other hand, thrive on collective discipline and swift counterattacks, making them dangerous against vulnerable opponents.
What’s at stake
For Nigeria, victory would soften the disappointment of an early exit. For DR Congo, nothing but three points will do. The contrast in motivations ensures an intriguing contest: pride on one side, survival on the other.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Aug 19, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
The 2025/26 European football season kicked off in style over the weekend, and Ghanaian stars wasted no time announcing themselves on the big stage. From England to Slovenia, Germany to Denmark, Black Stars players delivered standout performances that had fans buzzing.
Unfortunately, the weekend’s biggest story was tinged with controversy, as Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo was subjected to racist abuse despite producing a sensational display against Liverpool.
Still, the action on the pitch spoke loudest, and six Ghanaians in particular stood tall between August 15–17.
Brandon Thomas-Asante – Coventry City
Thomas-Asante played a crucial role in Coventry’s thrilling 5-3 away win over Derby County. With the game tied 3-3, the Black Stars forward struck in the 72nd minute to complete the comeback before his side sealed the win with two late goals.
Prince Amoako Jr – FC Nordsjaelland
Teenage sensation Prince Amoako Jr may have been on the losing side as Nordsjaelland fell 3-1 to Copenhagen, but his brilliance earned him the Man of the Match award. The 19-year-old scored the opener just after halftime and was a constant menace before his team’s red card shifted the momentum.
Ransford Yeboah-Konigsdorffer – Hamburg SV
Yeboah-Konigsdorffer sent Hamburg into the next round of the DFB Pokal with an extra-time winner against FK Primasens. After a 1-1 draw in regulation, the Ghanaian forward struck in the 100th minute to seal victory. He’ll now prepare for his Bundesliga debut against Borussia Mönchengladbach next weekend.
Mohammed Kudus – Tottenham Hotspur
Kudus hit the ground running in his Premier League debut for Spurs. The Ghanaian midfielder set up two goals in a 3-0 win over Burnley, creating five chances – the most by any EPL player in matchweek one. Kudus also became Tottenham’s first debutant since 2017 to register an assist in his first league outing.
Benjamin Tetteh – NK Maribor
New signing Benjamin Tetteh showed his worth with a brace in Maribor’s 3-3 draw against NK Bravo in Slovenia. The 26-year-old scored in the 52nd and 79th minutes, taking his tally to three goals in five matches this season.
Antoine Semenyo – Bournemouth
The standout Ghanaian of the weekend, Semenyo nearly inspired a shock comeback against Liverpool. Trailing 2-0, he scored twice in quick succession – first in the 64th minute and then with a stunning solo goal after a counterattack. His brace moved him up to fourth on Bournemouth’s all-time Premier League scorers list with 22 goals.
Sadly, Bournemouth’s fightback wasn’t enough, as Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah sealed a 4-2 win for Liverpool. The racist abuse Semenyo endured overshadowed his brilliance, but his performance confirmed his status as one of Ghana’s most in-form players.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Aug 19, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Soccer
Union Berlin have reportedly struck an agreement with Turkish giants Galatasaray to sign Ghanaian defender Derrick Köhn in a deal worth around €5 million.
Köhn, who spent last season on loan at Werder Bremen, impressed with 27 appearances and two goals in the Bundesliga. Despite returning to Galatasaray hopeful of cementing a first-team place, competition in the squad forced him to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Werder Bremen had shown strong interest in signing the 25-year-old permanently, but negotiations with Galatasaray fell through. Union Berlin have now moved quickly in the last 48 hours to finalize terms and secure his services.
The deal is also expected to include a sell-on clause, ensuring Galatasaray profit from any future transfer involving the Ghanaian left-back.
For Köhn, the move represents a fresh chance to establish himself as a key figure in the Bundesliga, while Union Berlin strengthen their defensive options ahead of the new campaign.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Aug 19, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
The CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) has already claimed its first major casualties, with nine teams officially eliminated from the competition.
South Africa joined Mauritania, Guinea, Angola, the Central African Republic, Zambia, Nigeria, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso on the exit list after a dramatic 3-3 draw against Uganda in their final Group C clash on Monday.
Uganda’s resilience earned them top spot in Group C with seven points from four matches, while Algeria advanced as runners-up with six points and a superior goal difference over South Africa, who also collected six points but fell short on goal difference. Guinea and Niger rounded off the group with four and two points respectively.
The competition, however, is far from over. More decisive fixtures are on the horizon, with Nigeria set to take on Congo and Sudan preparing for a clash against Senegal on Tuesday.
The group stage drama continues, but for nine nations, the dream of CHAN 2024 has already come to an end.
