by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 23, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Veteran Ghanaian coach Maxwell Konadu has stirred conversation with a bold comparison between South Africa’s second-tier football and the Ghana Premier League.
Having recently concluded a short stint with South African side Black Leopards, Konadu reflected on his experience and didn’t hold back his admiration for the football structure in the southern nation.
Speaking to Sportsblog247.com, the former Legon Cities and Asante Kotoko head coach praised the competitiveness, organization, and player welfare in South Africa’s lower-tier league—stating that it surpasses Ghana’s top flight in several key areas.
“The second-tier league in South Africa is more competitive than the Ghana league,” Konadu remarked. “They pay their players well, and that has attracted top talent. Even during international breaks, matches are suspended because so many players receive national team call-ups.”
Konadu’s insights offer a sobering perspective on the challenges facing Ghanaian football, especially with increasing competition from other African leagues that are rising in professionalism and appeal.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 23, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Eddie Nketiah’s debut season at Crystal Palace hasn’t gone as many hoped. After making a £30 million move from Arsenal in August 2024, expectations were high. Yet, the 25-year-old striker—born in England to Ghanaian parents—has found it hard to make his mark at Selhurst Park.
With just one Premier League goal in 24 appearances (only seven of which were starts), Nketiah’s numbers don’t reflect the effort he’s put in. But manager Oliver Glasner sees beyond the stats.
“It’s not time to sum up Eddie’s season now,” said Glasner. “But he’s so hard-working. Sometimes I feel a little bit sad for him, personally, when I see all his effort.”
The Austrian coach pointed to Palace’s recent clash with Newcastle United as an example of Nketiah’s misfortune.
“He came on when we were 5-0 down. It’s the worst situation you can have as a player. I had this once in my career—it’s not enjoyable. He had two or three chances and slipped just before scoring.”
Despite the challenges, Glasner remains confident that better days lie ahead for his striker.
“It looks like things haven’t gone well for him so far. But I see him every day. He keeps working. And there will come a day when he gets paid for all his effort.”
Nketiah’s lone Premier League goal came earlier this month in a 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. He’s also added two goals in the EFL Cup and one in the FA Cup, hinting that there’s still something to build on.
With Palace sitting comfortably mid-table, Glasner hopes to end the season on a high—and perhaps, give Nketiah the stage for a long-overdue breakthrough.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 23, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Kwame Poku’s name lit up the end-of-season celebrations at Peterborough United as the Ghanaian midfielder bagged a stunning hat-trick of awards after a breakout 2024/25 campaign.
Despite missing 15 League One games, the 23-year-old dazzled fans and teammates alike with 12 goals and eight assists in just 26 matches—enough to see him crowned Player of the Season. His electric performances also earned him the Players’ Player of the Year and the Junior Posh Player of the Year accolades, underlining just how influential he’s been on and off the pitch.
The English-born Ghana international played a key role in Peterborough’s successful defence of the Vertu Trophy, including a vital contribution in their final win over Birmingham City. With just one senior cap for Ghana, Poku’s stock is rapidly rising—and so is interest in his signature.
As the summer window approaches, newly-promoted Birmingham City are leading the race for the dynamic playmaker. Championship sides Luton Town, Millwall, and Burnley are also monitoring his situation, as Poku looks set for a big step up in his career.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 23, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
In a dazzling display of youthful talent, Ghana’s U15 boys’ team made an unforgettable debut at the CAF African Schools Football Championship, cruising to a 2-0 victory over Uganda at the University of Ghana Stadium on Wednesday.
Right from the first whistle, the Ghanaian youngsters stamped their authority on the game, dominating possession and showing a level of composure well beyond their years in the 40-minute encounter—played in two halves of 20 minutes each.
The hero of the day was winger John Andor, who delivered a standout performance with a brace. His first goal was a beauty—an expertly placed shot that left the Ugandan goalkeeper rooted. The second came after a blunder from the opposition’s keeper, but Andor’s sharp reaction ensured the ball found the back of the net, sealing all three points for the hosts.
With confidence flowing, Ghana now look ahead to a busy Thursday, where they’ll take on South Africa at 11:00 am and Algeria at 3:00 pm in a decisive double-header to close out the group stage.
As hosts of the 2025 CAF African Schools Football Championship, which runs from April 23 to 26, the Ghanaian team will be aiming to lift the trophy in front of their home crowd and cement their place as rising stars of African football.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 21, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA
It was a weekend of mixed emotions for Ghanaian footballers abroad, with some making headlines for their impressive performances while others faced the bitter pill of relegation.
In England, Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku’s clubs suffered Premier League relegation, marking a tough chapter for the duo. However, on a brighter note, Antoine Semenyo completed the full 90 minutes for Bournemouth in their draw with Crystal Palace, while Mohammed Kudus and Kamaldeen Sulemana impressed with their minutes for West Ham and Southampton, respectively.
Over in Slovakia, Rahim Ibrahim grabbed the spotlight with a goal for Slovan Bratislava in a thrilling 3-2 win against Trnava. Teammate Sharani Zuberu also featured, while Kelvin Ofori played the full game for Spartak Trnava.
Austria saw Emmanuel Agyeman come off the bench to score and assist in Wolfsberger AC’s 5-1 thrashing of SK Rapid—a standout performance in Europe.
Turkey witnessed another Ghanaian forward making waves, as Kwasi Wriedt put in a stellar shift by scoring in Şanlıurfaspor’s 2-0 win over Pendikspor. Meanwhile, Joseph Attamah featured for Kayserispor in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Fenerbahçe.
Hungary had Joel Fameyeh on the scoresheet for Puskás Akadémia in their 2-2 draw with Paks, while in Israel, Eugene Ansah found the net in SC Ashdod’s dominant 4-1 win over Hapoel Hadera.
In USA’s Major League Soccer, Osman Bukari made an impact in Austin FC’s narrow 1-0 victory over LA Galaxy, with compatriot Joseph Paintsil putting in a full shift for the Galaxy. Defender Lalas Abubakar featured for FC Dallas in a 1-1 draw against Minnesota United.
From Sweden to Albania, Finland, Germany, and beyond, Ghanaian players were heavily involved in club action. Notable mentions include Enock Otoo’s two assists in Estonia’s Levadia 9-0 hammering of Tallinna Kalev and Caleb Yirenkyi’s solid 90-minute display for Nordsjaelland in Denmark.
While some players face uncertain futures due to relegation, others continue to raise the Ghana flag high across the globe.
