by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 15, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
In a night filled with celebration, emotion, and recognition of Ghanaian football excellence, Thomas Partey stole the spotlight at the 2025 Ghana Football Awards as he was crowned Footballer of the Year. The Arsenal midfielder edged past tough competition from Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams to claim Ghana’s top individual football honour for the second time in his career—his first dating back to 2019.
Partey’s award was a testament to his consistent performances for both club and country, as well as his influential leadership on and off the pitch. But the accolades didn’t stop there. He also jointly received the Football for Good Award, alongside Tariq Lamptey of Brighton & Hove Albion, recognising their philanthropic impact on Ghanaian communities.
Other Key Winners of the Night:
Razak Simpson (Nations FC) was a double winner, claiming Home-based Footballer of the Year and Goal of the Year for his stunning long-range strike against Hearts of Oak.
Stephen Amankona (Berekum Chelsea) was crowned the Ghana Premier League Goal King, while Mary Amponsah earned the Women’s Premier League Goal Queen title.
Doris Boaduwaa stood tall as the Female Footballer of the Year after a standout year for both club and country.
Bibiani Gold Stars, recent league champions, were named Men’s Team of the Year, marking a remarkable journey since their 2021 promotion.
Mary Berko (Police Ladies) won Home-based Female Footballer of the Year, with her coach Abu Kassim taking home Women’s Coach of the Year.
On the men’s side, Kwesi Appiah, now head coach of Sudan’s national team, was named Men’s Coach of the Year for guiding his team brilliantly through the AFCON qualifiers.
John Peter Amewu, CEO of Hohoe United, was recognised as CEO of the Year, while Medeama SC claimed the title of Most Vibrant Club on Social Media.
Achraf Hakimi of PSG was named Best African International after a treble-winning campaign in France.
A heartfelt moment of the night came as the Special Fan Award was posthumously presented to Francis Yaw Frimpong-Pooley, a lifelong and passionate supporter of Asante Kotoko.
The 2025 Ghana Football Awards not only celebrated footballing excellence but also spotlighted the social contributions and passion that fuel the sport across the country.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 14, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian forward Deabeas Owusu-Sekyere delivered a game-changing performance on Saturday, coming off the bench to provide two vital assists as Zhejiang Professional battled from behind to earn a dramatic 2-2 draw against Shanghai Port in the Chinese Super League.
The 25-year-old Dutch-Ghanaian attacker entered the fray in the 56th minute, replacing Lei Tong, with Zhejiang trailing 2-0 at the Huanglong Sports Centre.
Shanghai Port had taken control of the match early, with Gabriel Airton de Souza opening the scoring before the half-hour mark. Just six minutes into the second half, Brazilian forward Leonardo Nascimento Lopes de Souza doubled the visitors’ lead, leaving the hosts with a mountain to climb.
But Owusu-Sekyere’s introduction turned the tide. In the 80th minute, he set up Qianglong Tao to pull one back for Zhejiang. Then, in stoppage time, he delivered once again — assisting Croatian midfielder Franko Andrijasevic to snatch a late equalizer and salvage a point in the thrilling encounter.
It was a standout display from Owusu-Sekyere, who now has two assists in eleven league appearances this season. His impact off the bench proved decisive and underscored his growing influence within the squad.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 14, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Turkish giants Besiktas are plotting a sensational move to bring Dutch-Ghanaian forward Memphis Depay back to European football this summer.
Currently shining for Brazilian side Corinthians, Depay has emerged as a top target for Besiktas as they look to reinforce their attacking options ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. The 30-year-old forward, who signed a two-year deal with Corinthians in September 2024 after leaving Atletico Madrid, has made a significant impact in South America — netting six goals and providing ten assists in 28 appearances across all competitions.
Despite Depay’s current contract running until 2026, Corinthians are reportedly open to a transfer to boost their financial standing. Besiktas have already made initial contact with the Brazilian club and are ready to open formal negotiations for the former Manchester United and Barcelona star.
Depay’s move to Brazil initially raised eyebrows, but the attacker has since silenced doubters by becoming a vital figure in the Corinthians setup. He capped off an impressive season by helping his side clinch the prestigious Campeonato Paulista title in March, defeating fierce rivals Palmeiras.
With his creativity, flair, and European pedigree, Besiktas believe Depay could be the spark needed to revive their continental ambitions and domestic dominance.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 14, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
As the curtains fall on the 2024/25 European football season, several Nigerian players stood tall across the continent with standout performances that lit up their respective leagues. From league triumphs to individual accolades, Super Eagles stars left their mark.
While not every Nigerian export had a season to remember—some like Wilfred Ndidi, Paul Onuachu, and Jamilu Collins endured the heartbreak of relegation—others soared to new heights. Victor Osimhen spearheaded Galatasaray’s title-winning campaign in Turkey, while Calvin Bassey emerged as Fulham’s Player of the Season in the English Premier League.
Based on individual performances and influence at club level, here is SportsBlog247’s Best XI of Nigerian players in Europe for the 2024/25 season:
Goalkeeper: Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy)
Back in form and confidence, Okoye had a solid season in Serie A, making 25 appearances with an average of 2.9 saves per match. His four clean sheets were crucial in Udinese’s respectable 12th-place finish.
Defenders:
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England) – One of the revelations of the season, Aina was a rock at right back and featured in 35 matches, scoring twice and assisting once as Forest finished an impressive 7th.
Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England) – Bassey was imperious all season, commanding Fulham’s backline and earning their Player of the Season award.
Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic) – Ogbu’s 14 clean sheets in 25 matches helped Slavia Prague reclaim the Czech title.
Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany) – Despite battling injuries, Agu contributed three goals and shone in both defense and attack in 21 starts.
Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England) – Iwobi hit peak form, playing every league game and tallying 15 goal contributions (9 goals, 6 assists) in a career-best campaign.
Christantus Uche (Getafe, Spain) – A breakout star in La Liga, Uche dazzled with four goals and six assists in 33 games, making a giant leap from third-tier football to the top flight.
Forwards:
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy) – Lookman’s explosive season delivered 20 goals and 7 assists as he powered Atalanta to a third-place Serie A finish.
Moses Simon (Nantes, France) – Simon was Nantes’ creative heartbeat, directly involved in nearly half the club’s league goals and earned a Goal of the Season nomination.
Cyriel Dessers (Rangers, Scotland) – Rangers’ top scorer with 29 goals and 7 assists in 55 matches, Dessers had a prolific year leading the line.
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey) – On loan from Napoli, Osimhen exploded with 37 goals and 8 assists in 41 games, firing Galatasaray to a domestic double.
This XI showcases the finest Nigerian talents flying the Super Eagles flag high across Europe. With the 2025/26 season on the horizon, fans will be hoping for even more magic from this golden generation.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 14, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Calvin Bassey has been named Fulham’s Player of the Season for the 2024/25 campaign, edging out fellow Nigerian and Super Eagles teammate, Alex Iwobi, in a tight fan vote.
The 25-year-old defender, who missed just three games in the Premier League this season, was instrumental in Fulham’s historic campaign, helping the club achieve a record points tally. Known for his explosive pace, physical presence, and composure on the ball, Bassey secured 39.6% of the fan votes to claim the top honour.
His closest challenger, Alex Iwobi, garnered 21.5%, followed by Antonee Robinson (19.9%), Bernd Leno (10.9%), and Saša Lukić (8.1%).
Reacting to the award, Bassey gave credit to God and acknowledged the collective support behind his success.
“Thank you guys for voting me Player of the Season,” he said on Fulham’s official website. “I want to thank God – without Him I wouldn’t be where I am. Big up my teammates, even those no longer at the club, who’ve helped me along the way.
“Thanks also to the coaching staff and the Manager for believing in me. Hopefully, we can achieve even greater things next season. Thank you for your support.”
Since making his Super Eagles debut in 2021, Bassey has earned 31 international caps and continues to cement his place as a key figure for both club and country.
