by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 23, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Sunday, February 22, 2026 — Antoine Semenyo is enjoying a remarkable 2025/26 campaign, underlining his status as one of Ghana’s most dependable goal scorers in Europe. The dynamic forward has already registered 15 goals across league and cup competitions, reflecting both his consistency and clinical edge in front of goal.
Semenyo began the season with AFC Bournemouth, where he scored 10 goals in 21 appearances before securing a high-profile move to Manchester City in January 2026. Since arriving at the Etihad, he has wasted no time making his mark, netting five times in just ten matches.
His City debut was particularly memorable, as he found the back of the net in a resounding 10-1 FA Cup victory over Exeter City F.C.. The immediate impact has strengthened his case as a valuable attacking option in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
During his time at Bournemouth, Semenyo showed his ability to rise to the occasion against top opposition. He scored against heavyweight sides such as Liverpool F.C., Manchester United F.C., and Arsenal F.C., while also delivering crucial goals against competitive teams including Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., Leeds United F.C., Fulham F.C., Burnley F.C., and Brentford F.C.. His strike against Arsenal proved to be his final goal for Bournemouth before completing his switch to Manchester City.
In total, Semenyo has scored against 12 different teams this season — a clear testament to his versatility and sustained form. His impressive performances in England have not only elevated his club career but also reinforced his importance to the Ghana national football team as the Black Stars prepare for upcoming international assignments.
Blessed with pace, intelligent movement, and sharp finishing, Antoine Semenyo is fast emerging as one of Africa’s most exciting forwards. Supporters in Ghana and beyond will be hoping his goal-scoring momentum continues deep into the season.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 23, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Former Gombe State FA chairman, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, has cautioned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against renewing the contract of Eric Chelle under improved financial terms, insisting that such a move could backfire on Nigerian football.
Chelle, who currently earns a reported $50,000 per month as head coach of the Nigeria national football team, has less than a year remaining on his deal. However, recent reports claim the coach has tabled 19 conditions for a contract extension — including a significant salary increase to $130,000 monthly.
Reacting to the reports in an interview with The Guardian Nigeria, Gara-Gombe questioned both the timing and the justification for such demands. According to him, the Super Eagles platform has elevated Chelle’s profile internationally, not the other way around.
“I don’t think it is appropriate,” Gara-Gombe reportedly said. “He came to Nigeria to build his CV. The Super Eagles are bigger than him. Now, after gaining global exposure, he wants to put pressure on us.”
The outspoken football administrator further argued that with the quality of players available to Nigeria, the federation should not feel compelled to meet what he described as excessive financial demands. He even dismissed rumored links between Chelle and French giants Olympique de Marseille as speculative narratives.
Gara-Gombe maintained that if Chelle chooses to walk away, the NFF should allow him to leave, adding that he has not seen sufficient impact from the coach to justify a salary more than doubling his current earnings.
“If we keep him at that amount, Nigeria will regret it,” he warned.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 22, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Soccer
African football could soon witness another cross-border coaching move as reports suggest that Ghanaian tactician James Kwesi Appiah is being targeted for a senior national team role.
According to circulating media reports, the Burkina Faso Football Federation has opened discussions aimed at appointing the former Black Stars head coach to lead the Stallions. The federation is reportedly searching for an experienced manager capable of restoring confidence, sharpening tactical discipline, and steering the team back to strong continental relevance.
The development was highlighted in a February 21, 2026 post by Max 89.7 FM, which indicated that official contact had been made with Appiah regarding the potential appointment. The news has since sparked debate among football fans across Ghana and West Africa, with many viewing the move as further proof of his enduring continental reputation.
Appiah’s coaching résumé speaks for itself.
In 2012, he became one of the few indigenous Ghanaian coaches to guide the Black Stars to a FIFA World Cup, leading the team to the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
Beyond his achievements with Ghana, he also enjoyed success in Sudan, winning domestic league titles and strengthening his credentials on the African stage.
For Burkina Faso, turning to Appiah reflects a broader shift within African football — a growing trust in homegrown coaches who understand the continent’s competitive structures, player mentality, and administrative dynamics. His calm leadership, strong player management, and tactical awareness in African competitions make him an attractive candidate.
Reactions in Ghana have been mixed. While many supporters feel proud to see a local coach drawing international interest, others believe his experience could still play a crucial role in developing Ghana’s technical structures and mentoring emerging coaches.
If negotiations are finalized, Appiah would immediately face the task of guiding Burkina Faso toward AFCON qualification and strengthening their World Cup qualifying ambitions. The Stallions, runners-up at AFCON 2013, are eager to return to that competitive height.
Whether or not the deal materializes, one thing remains clear: Ghana continues to export not only talented players but also respected coaching minds across Africa — and James Kwesi Appiah remains firmly among the continent’s most valued football tacticians.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 21, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
Uncertainty continues to surround the Nigeria national football team after FIFA failed to reference Nigeria’s protest against the DR Congo national football team in its latest report, deepening doubts over the country’s 2026 World Cup prospects.
The Nigeria Football Federation officially submitted its complaint on December 15, 2025, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive African play-off final. Nigeria’s hopes were dashed in Rabat last November after a dramatic encounter ended 4-3 on penalties, eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification pathway to the intercontinental play-offs.
Following the defeat, focus quickly shifted from on-field action to legal proceedings, with expectations that FIFA’s judicial bodies would review the matter in mid-February. Many supporters anticipated a timely update, but FIFA’s recent publication omitted any mention of the Nigeria-DR Congo dispute, instead spotlighting broader developments in global sports arbitration.
While the report noted that 77 per cent of cases filed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2025 were football-related, Nigerian fans remain frustrated by the absence of clarity on their own case.
Addressing the situation, Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, confirmed after a meeting with Bola Ahmed Tinubu that, as of February 19, 2026, no final ruling had been communicated. He also dismissed speculation suggesting that a verdict had already been reached.
Dikko admitted that competitively, the World Cup chapter appears closed, but emphasized that the legal process remains ongoing within FIFA’s independent judicial framework.
For now, Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup ambitions rest not on the pitch, but in the hands of football’s governing authorities, as the nation waits for a decision that could determine the Super Eagles’ fate.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 21, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
The Nigeria national football team will face Iran national football team in a friendly on March 27 as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirmed by Iran’s Football Federation spokesperson, Amirmahdi Alavai.
The match offers Iran — drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt — an opportunity to test their squad against a seasoned African side. The two teams last met at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where the game ended 0-0.
Nigeria’s participation in the friendly remains contingent on FIFA’s pending ruling regarding the Super Eagles’ protest over alleged ineligible players from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is still under review.
This clash will provide both teams a critical platform to fine-tune tactics, assess player form, and build momentum ahead of football’s biggest tournament.
