by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 12, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana international Inaki Williams has urged Athletic Bilbao to turn their attention to La Liga following their narrow defeat to Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.
The Black Stars forward, who captains the Basque side, started the encounter at the Estadio de San Mamés and featured for 56 minutes as Bilbao fell to a slim loss against their regional rivals.
A fiercely contested first half ended goalless, with both sides struggling to break the deadlock. However, Real Sociedad found the breakthrough in the second half, as Spain international Beñat Turrientes struck the decisive goal to hand the visitors a crucial away victory.
Reacting after the match, Williams emphasized the need for his team to quickly regain confidence and refocus on domestic league duties, starting with their upcoming La Liga clash against Real Oviedo.
“We will focus on the league. The best thing we can do is regain confidence and get three points in the league. We must be a team for 90 minutes, not just 45. We have to press and play in the opponent’s half,” he said.
Athletic Bilbao will have an opportunity to overturn the deficit when they travel to the Estadio Municipal de Anoeta for the return leg on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Despite the first-leg setback, the tie remains open as they seek a place in this season’s Copa del Rey final.
So far this campaign, the 31-year-old has made 23 appearances in all competitions, registering two goals and two assists for Bilbao.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 12, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Antoine Semenyo continued his electric start to life at Manchester City with a standout performance in the 3-0 win over Fulham on February 11, writing his name into the club’s history books.
The Ghana international registered a goal and an assist in the victory, a contribution that not only influenced the result but also saw him match a notable record previously achieved by Kevin De Bruyne.
Signed for £64 million, the 26-year-old has adapted seamlessly to Pep Guardiola’s system. His strike against Fulham ensured he became the first player to score in each of his first two home Premier League appearances for City since De Bruyne managed the feat in October 2015. The Belgian had reached that milestone against West Ham United and Newcastle United.
Drawing comparisons with one of the club’s modern greats highlights the scale of Semenyo’s early impact. While matching De Bruyne’s long-term legacy will demand sustained excellence, the early signs point to a player thriving under the Etihad lights.
Semenyo’s combination of pace, strength, and intelligent movement has added a new dimension to City’s attack. Whether drifting centrally to link play or stretching defenses from wide areas, his tactical awareness has stood out alongside his direct goal contributions.
This latest achievement adds to a growing list of milestones since his arrival. He previously matched Sergio Agüero by recording a goal and an assist on his debut against Exeter in the FA Cup. He also equalled Emmanuel Adebayor’s record of scoring in consecutive opening appearances, while netting four goals in his first five matches.
Beyond club history, Semenyo has also broken new ground for Ghanaian football.
His goal against Fulham saw him set a new record for the most goals scored by a Ghanaian in a single Premier League season, surpassing the previous benchmark held by Tony Yeboah and later matched by Andre Ayew.
With an FA Cup clash against Salford next on February 14, Semenyo will have another opportunity to extend what is already shaping up to be a remarkable chapter in his Manchester City journey.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 12, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo has made Premier League history, becoming the first Ghanaian player to score 13 goals in a single season.
The Black Stars attacker reached the landmark on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, when he found the net in City’s clash against Fulham, breaking a long-standing record previously held by Ghana legend Tony Yeboah.
Yeboah scored 12 goals during his memorable spells with Leeds United in the 1994/95 and 1995/96 seasons — a benchmark that stood for three decades.
Andre Ayew later equaled the tally at Swansea City in the 2015/16 campaign, but neither surpassed it.
Semenyo, however, has now gone one better.
The 26-year-old came close to history last season after netting 11 goals in the 2024/25 campaign. This term, he has taken his game to another level, climbing to 13 goals and standing alone as the highest-scoring Ghanaian in a single Premier League season.
Since making the step up from the Championship, Semenyo’s rise has been remarkable. After sealing a move to Manchester City in the winter transfer window, he quickly established himself as a key figure in Pep Guardiola’s title-chasing side. His blend of speed, strength, and clinical finishing has made him a constant threat to opposing defenses.
With City firmly in the hunt for the Premier League crown, Semenyo’s record-breaking campaign not only underlines his individual brilliance but also shines a spotlight on Ghanaian excellence in England’s top flight.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 12, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel has addressed concerns about the national team’s perceived dependence on Victor Osimhen, insisting the striker’s influence should be seen as a strength rather than a weakness.
Speaking in an interview with Oma Akatugba, the Birmingham City full-back emphasized that Osimhen’s status as one of Nigeria’s standout performers naturally makes him central to the team’s plans.
“It doesn’t really bother me. People need to understand that Victor is one of the star players of our team, and we always want our star players to be present in games,” Osayi-Samuel said.
He further praised the forward’s exceptional qualities, noting that public opinion will always vary regardless of whether Osimhen features or not.
“He is a phenomenal player. People will always have their opinions, whether he is playing or not,” he added.
Osimhen underlined his value to the Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he found the net four times and played a key role in Nigeria’s bronze medal finish.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 12, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Nigeria national team head coach Eric Chelle has revealed that his ultimate managerial ambition is to one day lead Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid and become the first African to occupy the club’s dugout.
Speaking in a recent interview, the 48-year-old tactician did not shy away from outlining his long-term vision, describing the Real Madrid job as the pinnacle of his coaching aspirations.
“My biggest dream is to become the first African coach in the history of Real Madrid,” Chelle declared, emphasizing the personal significance of the goal and what it would represent for African football as a whole.
Chelle has steadily enhanced his reputation on the continent through strong showings at the Africa Cup of Nations. He first gained widespread recognition after guiding Mali to the semi-finals of AFCON 2023. He replicated that achievement two years later with Nigeria at AFCON 2025, where the Super Eagles reached the last four and eventually secured a bronze medal.
Those performances cemented his status as one of Africa’s rising coaching figures.
However, his spell with Nigeria has also had its challenges. Appointed during a difficult phase with just six qualification matches remaining, Chelle was unable to steer the Super Eagles to a place at the FIFA World Cup.
A former professional player, Chelle transitioned into coaching with a focus on tactical structure, discipline, and youth development — qualities that have shaped his managerial identity. While a move to a club of Real Madrid’s magnitude may still be a distant ambition, the Super Eagles boss believes sustained success and steady progress could eventually open such doors.
For now, Chelle remains focused on his national team duties, but his dream of managing Los Blancos continues to fuel his long-term ambitions.
