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.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer, World Cup
Ghana’s national team coach, Otto Addo, has firmly dismissed calls for his resignation following the Black Stars’ shock elimination from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Despite widespread disappointment and mounting criticism, Addo remains resolute, emphasizing his commitment to the team and belief in their future.
Ghana, four-time AFCON champions and 1982 winners, suffered a stunning 2-1 defeat to Niger on Monday at the Accra Sports Stadium. The loss, compounded by a prior 1-1 draw with Angola on Friday, sealed their fate, marking the first time they failed to qualify for the tournament since 2004.
Addo’s post-match press conference was marked by defiance. “I’m not someone who just gives up,” he declared. “If I had that mindset, I would never have become a player or a coach. People shouting for my resignation don’t define me. I know where I’ve come from and what I still have to offer.”
Adding to Ghana’s woes, former Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah successfully guided Sudan to the AFCON finals, achieving what Ghana could not. This juxtaposition has further fueled the debate over Addo’s tenure.
Despite the disappointment, Ghana is already turning its focus to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, hoping to redeem their battered reputation on the global stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer, World Cup
The Black Stars of Ghana find themselves at a pivotal moment, with their dreams of redemption hanging in the balance. Following the heartbreak of missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the technical team, led by Otto Addo, is charting a new course as they aim for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The lessons from the AFCON qualifiers’ failure have fueled a renewed sense of urgency. Despite a shaky start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, the Black Stars have shown resilience, recording two critical victories against the Central African Republic and Mali. These results have positioned Ghana second in Group I, level on nine points with Comoros after four matches.
As the qualifiers resume in March 2025, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Ghana faces Chad and Madagascar in what are being dubbed must-win fixtures. The technical team is under immense pressure to make bold tactical and squad decisions that will ensure consistency and secure a World Cup ticket.
Fans, still reeling from the AFCON disappointment, are watching closely. Their hope rests on the coaching staff’s ability to steer the team back to glory and restore pride to the Black Stars’ name.
The road ahead is steep, but for Ghana, failure is not an option. These next decisions could define not only their World Cup journey but the legacy of this generation of Black Stars.
