by Emmanuel Atanga | May 10, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
French-Ghanaian forward Stredair Appuah was on target for Valenciennes in a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful 4-3 loss to newly crowned champions Nancy on Friday evening, in what was the team’s final home match of the season.
Despite the defeat, Appuah’s performance stood out. The 19-year-old striker played the full 90 minutes and netted a composed equaliser in the 34th minute, capitalizing on a loose ball after Boutoutaou’s sublime free-kick had pulled one back for the hosts. Appuah’s quick reactions and attacking movement injected life into Valenciennes’ fightback, following a nightmare start that saw Dabasse score twice for Nancy in the 16th and 19th minutes.
The second half, however, belonged to the champions. Bokangu put Nancy ahead again in the 56th minute, and Gomel extended their lead in the 75th. A late goal from Kouakou—his first in professional football—reduced the deficit but couldn’t prevent a seventh consecutive winless game for Valenciennes.
Now sitting 10th in the Championnat National standings, VAFC will wrap up their campaign away to Aubagne. Despite the team’s struggles, Appuah has shown promise with 3 goals in 13 league appearances—a bright spark in a difficult season.
by Emmanuel Atanga | May 10, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Swiss-Ghanaian defender Gregory Wuthrich played a starring role in Sturm Graz’s thrilling 4-2 victory over Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga Championship Group clash on Friday evening.
The encounter at the Merkur Arena delivered non-stop action, and Wuthrich’s decisive contribution helped tilt the balance in Sturm’s favour. The centre-back, who featured for the full 90 minutes, found the net in the 48th minute—reacting swiftly to a corner and finishing from close range to give his side a commanding 3-1 lead.
Sturm Graz opened the scoring through an own goal by Salzburg’s Terzic in the 18th minute, and just two minutes later, Bøving doubled their advantage. Salzburg halved the deficit before halftime thanks to a goal from Dorgeles, but Wuthrich’s strike early in the second half reasserted Sturm’s control. Chukwuani added a fourth, and although Aiwu’s own goal gave Salzburg a glimmer of hope, the home side held on for a crucial win.
The victory was significant not only for the points but also for pride. Historically dominated by Salzburg, Sturm Graz narrowed the gap with this being their 15th win in the fixture, compared to Salzburg’s 34.
Sturm Graz will look to build on this momentum when they face Rapid Wien on May 18th, as their push for the league title continues.
by Emmanuel Atanga | May 10, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Ghana defender Jerome Opoku has revealed that the pain of missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is driving the Black Stars’ renewed determination to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The four-time African champions endured a shocking AFCON qualification campaign, finishing bottom of their group with just three points from six matches—marking one of the nation’s lowest moments in recent memory.
However, the Black Stars have bounced back strongly in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, recording back-to-back wins against Chad and Madagascar in Matchdays 5 and 6. The victories have pushed Ghana to the top of Group I with 15 points, reigniting hopes of returning to football’s biggest stage.
Speaking to Sportsblog247.com, Opoku admitted the AFCON disappointment has served as a powerful motivator.
“We have much bigger motivation now,” he said. “Missing out on the AFCON was a huge disappointment for us, the fans, and the entire nation. That setback has given us a deeper hunger to make things right by qualifying for the World Cup.”
Opoku, who delivered a strong performance in Ghana’s dominant display against Madagascar, says the team is now laser-focused on completing the job.
“I am 200% confident of qualifying,” he said boldly. “That’s the goal, and we know it won’t come easy. But we’ve regrouped, and we’re determined to give everything to stay on top and get the job done.”
Ghana will continue their qualification journey in September when they face Chad and Mali in Matchdays 7 and 8, before wrapping up the campaign with fixtures against Central African Republic and Comoros.
by Emmanuel Atanga | May 10, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian midfielder Elisha Owusu has spoken of his pride and sense of responsibility after donning the captain’s armband for AJ Auxerre during the current Ligue 1 campaign.
The 27-year-old, who joined the French club in 2023, has stepped up as skipper on three occasions this season in the absence of senior teammates—an opportunity he describes as a career highlight.
“I feel proud to have the honour to captain and help the team,” Owusu told Sportsblog247.com. “Auxerre is a very big club in France, and it is a big honour to lead the team. I feel the responsibility to give my best and to help my teammates in the best way possible.”
Owusu’s leadership has come during a pivotal season for Auxerre. After returning to Ligue 1, the club has fought hard to secure safety, now sitting comfortably mid-table. With relegation fears behind them, the focus has shifted to finishing the season on a high.
“For us, the biggest target was to stay in the league first. Now that we’ve done that, we want to win as many games as possible,” Owusu explained. “We know it’s not easy to compete in Ligue 1, but we are committed to giving our best.”
So far, Owusu has made 26 appearances this season, contributing one goal and three assists—evidence of his growing influence both on and off the pitch.
He’ll look to continue that momentum tonight as Auxerre host FC Nantes at the Stade Abbé-Deschamps, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00 GMT.
by Emmanuel Atanga | May 10, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian midfielder Elisha Owusu has credited a major shift in mentality for AJ Auxerre’s turnaround in form, as the French side continues to impress in their return to Ligue 1.
Relegated just two seasons ago after a dismal campaign that saw them finish 17th with only eight wins, Auxerre have bounced back with renewed vigor and purpose. Currently 10th in the Ligue 1 standings with 41 points, Owusu believes a united squad and a positive mindset have played key roles in their resurgence.
“I think the mindset of the team has been the difference this season,” Owusu told Sportsblog247.com. “We’ve been together longer now, and our mentality is much better. There’s been a lot of improvement, and the new signings have settled in really well. The coach has blended the squad effectively. At the end of the day, I think our quality is higher.”
A major contributor to Auxerre’s strong campaign has been their form at home. The Stade Abbé-Deschamps has become a fortress, with 26 of their 41 points earned there—ranking them ninth in Ligue 1 for home performances.
“Our fans push us. They give us the energy to do more,” Owusu said of the home support. “They’re always behind us, even when things aren’t going well. They give us the positivity and confidence we need. Our home crowd has really helped us.”
With just a few games left in the season, Owusu and his teammates are determined to finish strong. Their next test comes against FC Nantes in a crucial Matchday 33 clash, set to kick off at 19:00 GMT at the Stade Abbé-Deschamps.
