by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 18, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Solihull Moors delivered an explosive 6-0 victory over Ebbsfleet United in the National League, with English-born Ghanaian forward Michael Adu-Poku playing a starring role in the demolition. The win extended Solihull’s dominant record over Ebbsfleet, now boasting six wins compared to just two for the visitors.
The match saw both teams reduced to ten men before halftime, with James Clarke and Jez Davies both sent off. However, Solihull quickly took advantage of the numerical advantage in the second half. A 49th-minute own goal by Ebbsfleet’s Anthony Stewart opened the floodgates, and Adu-Poku doubled the lead just three minutes later with a calm finish following a precise assist from Conor Wilkinson.
Adu-Poku then turned provider, helping set up Wilkinson’s hat trick with a brilliant assist, while late substitute Sam Bowen capped the dominant performance with a stoppage-time strike.
Adu-Poku’s goal and assist add to his growing tally this season as Solihull Moors look to maintain their excellent form heading into their next match against Hartlepool United.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 18, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
In a dramatic encounter at Bromley, Daniel Adu-Adjei’s last-minute heroics salvaged a vital point for Carlisle United in a 1-1 draw during their first-ever meeting in League Two. The match saw a dominant first-half performance from Carlisle, though they struggled to break through Bromley’s strong defense. Kadeem Harris and Dom Sadi shone for the visitors, while Bromley’s Omar Sowunmi delivered a standout defensive display, blocking multiple attempts and forcing Carlisle’s keeper Gabe Breeze into action with a powerful header.
The second half saw Bromley take the lead in the 50th minute, when Michael Cheek converted a penalty after Danny Imray was fouled in the box. Carlisle responded strongly, with Adu-Adjei playing a key role in pressuring the Bromley defense. The game took a pivotal turn when Bromley’s Lewis Leigh was shown a red card for elbowing Sam Lavelle, leaving the hosts with only 10 men.
With time running out, Adu-Adjei struck in injury time, curling a perfect shot into the bottom corner from Ben Barclay’s long throw, ensuring Carlisle snatched a well-deserved draw. The English-born Ghanaian now has two goals and an assist this season, and Carlisle will next face Doncaster Rovers on November 23, looking to build on this thrilling comeback.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 18, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
In an emotional statement, Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has expressed his deep sorrow over the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The team, which finished bottom of Group F with only three points from six matches, saw their hopes dashed following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Niger in Accra.
Okraku, who has long been a central figure in Ghana football, reflected on the stark contrast between the team’s recent high of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and their painful setback in the AFCON qualifiers. “From the highest heights of world football on March 29, 2022, to the lowest ebb of AFCON qualifying matches. My heart bleeds. This is definitely not what we wanted or hoped for,” he lamented.
The GFA President, who has remained a constant presence in the sport, called for composure and unity as Ghana faces the aftermath of their failure. “At this point, only cool heads can win. As leaders of our sport, we will stay together, be honest, and work to fix this problem,” Okraku said. He emphasized that the road to recovery will not be easy, but he remained optimistic that the country would rise again through collective effort and patience.
With the GFA Executive Council meeting scheduled to discuss the future of the national team and coach Otto Addo, Okraku shared in the collective pain of Ghanaians, stating, “As a Black Stars fan and as the leader, I share in your pain. We will rise from this temporary setback. It shall be well.”
In the face of increasing pressure, the GFA is expected to make critical decisions about the team’s future to restore the Black Stars to their former glory.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 18, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Niger’s head coach, Badou Zaki, has opened up about the motivation behind his side’s impressive 2-1 victory over Ghana in the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. According to Zaki, the team’s confidence was largely built on their 4-0 thrashing of Sudan just days before, which gave them the belief that they could overcome Ghana, despite the tough odds.
In an insightful post-match interview, Zaki revealed that his players were well aware of Ghana’s attacking capabilities but also noticed their vulnerability at the back. He emphasized that the victory over Sudan provided the necessary psychological boost to take on the Ghanaian team with renewed determination.
“From the last AFCON, we knew that the Ghanaian team can score, but they conceded goals. And our last match against Sudan gave us the confidence that we could do it,” Zaki explained.
Despite the triumph over Ghana, Coach Zaki also highlighted the challenges faced by his squad, many of whom are amateurs, and the logistical difficulties that added strain to their preparations. Zaki pointed out that many of the players, especially those based outside the country, had to endure long travel times, often arriving just a day before the match.
“Most of my players are amateurs in Niger. For those outside, they travelled eighteen hours before games and often arrived a day before the match,” he added.
Furthermore, Zaki expressed frustration with the team’s travel arrangements, explaining that flights were often delayed or took longer than expected, which added to the physical and mental strain on the players.
Despite finishing third in Group F with 7 points, Niger’s victory over Ghana wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. Nevertheless, the win over a team like Ghana served as a major morale booster for the Niger squad, who, against the odds, proved their resilience and determination.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 18, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Niger’s head coach, Badou Zaki, has reflected on his team’s impressive 2-1 victory over Ghana in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, attributing the success to his side’s tactical approach of exploiting the Black Stars’ defensive vulnerabilities. Zaki shared his thoughts in a post-match interview, emphasizing how his team capitalized on Ghana’s tendency to concede goals, despite their attacking prowess.
“We knew Ghana could score, but they had shown weaknesses in defense, and we planned to take advantage of that,” Zaki explained. “After reviewing their recent performances, especially from the last AFCON, we believed we could do it. Our previous match against Sudan had also boosted our confidence.”
The victory over Ghana, which secured Niger third place in Group F with 7 points, was a remarkable achievement, especially considering the challenges Zaki’s team faced. Many of his players are amateurs, and the team’s travel arrangements posed additional difficulties. “Most of my players are amateurs, and many of them had to travel long distances, sometimes arriving just a day before the match after eighteen hours of travel,” Zaki revealed. He also highlighted the strain of long flights, even for regional travel, which affected the team’s preparation.
Despite the win, Niger’s qualification hopes were dashed, as they fell short of securing a place in the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. Nonetheless, the result stands as a testament to their resilience and tactical discipline.
