by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 14, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The city of Accra is gearing up to welcome the continent’s brightest young football talents as the stage is set for the CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025. With the continental finals scheduled for 23–26 April, the excitement kicks off with the Official Draw on Monday, 21 April, featuring two African football greats—Ghana’s very own Asamoah Gyan and Côte d’Ivoire’s Clementine Toure—as special assistants.
This prestigious youth tournament, now in its third edition, brings together the top U-15 boys and girls school teams from across Africa, representing the continent’s five football zones. Gyan and Toure, icons of African football, will be joined at the draw by other celebrated figures, including Ghanaian legends Abedi Pele and Adjoa Bayor, Robert Kidiaba from DR Congo, and Amanda Dlamini of South Africa. These ambassadors will also play mentorship roles during the tournament, inspiring the next generation of stars both on and off the pitch.
The event reflects CAF’s broader vision for youth development, with several Capacity Building Programmes running alongside the tournament to foster leadership and life skills in young athletes.
The stakes are high as eight nations compete in each of the boys’ and girls’ categories. Defending champions Tanzania (Boys) and South Africa (Girls) will look to retain their crowns and claim the top prize of USD 300,000, which, along with USD 200,000 for runners-up and USD 150,000 for third place, will go toward school development initiatives.
Funded by a USD 10-million donation from the Motsepe Foundation, the championship stands as Africa’s largest school football event, blending sport, education, and opportunity for the continent’s future leaders.
Competing Teams:
Girls:
Ghana (Hosts)
Benin (WAFU B)
DR Congo (UNIFFAC)
South Africa (COSAFA, Defending Champions)
Uganda (CECAFA)
Gambia (WAFU A)
Malawi (COSAFA)
Morocco (UNAF)
Boys:
Ghana (Hosts)
Algeria (UNAF)
Côte d’Ivoire (WAFU B)
DR Congo (UNIFFAC)
South Africa (COSAFA)
Senegal (WAFU A)
Tanzania (Defending Champions)
Uganda (CECAFA)
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 14, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has revealed his ambition to emulate two of Africa’s greatest midfield icons — Yaya Toure and Michael Essien — as he continues to shine for Arsenal in Europe and the Premier League.
Partey, 31, delivered a standout performance in Arsenal’s commanding 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, showcasing both his composure and control in midfield. He followed that up with another strong outing against Brentford, where he found the back of the net in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, the former Atlético Madrid man reflected on his evolving role and the legendary figures inspiring his development.
“I like to be defensive and offensive. I know whenever I am in the opposite area, I have chances for a goal and I think defensively, I want to be stronger,” Partey explained.
“I want to attack like Yaya Toure and defend like Michael Essien, so to have both qualities is good,” he added.
Partey’s versatility and leadership have been central to Arsenal’s European campaign this season. The Gunners are optimistic he’ll recover in time for the decisive return leg against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday after he was forced off with a knock in the first leg.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 14, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Mohammed Kudus, the dynamic Ghanaian forward, is calling on African players to embrace their full skillsets and break free from long-standing stereotypes.
In a recent interview with Premier League Productions, the West Ham United star expressed frustration at the way African players are often boxed into narrow descriptions.
“Mostly, when African players are being described, it’s more about their physique, strength, and their speed,” Kudus explained, highlighting a narrative that often undermines the technical and creative aspects of African footballers.
At just 24, Kudus is not only making waves in the Premier League but also using his platform to shift perspectives. He encouraged fellow African players to express their flair and natural talent without holding back.
“In my eyes, I believe that we have skilful players. I would urge more African players to be who they are and enjoy their qualities,” he said.
Referencing Ivorian legend Yaya Toure, Kudus added, “Yaya Toure was crazy, untouchable. He had more than pace and power.”
He noted that in a league like the Premier League—where every player is fast and strong—it takes something extra to stand out. “You need a lot of flair to be beating players,” Kudus emphasized.
Though this season has been challenging for him with just four goals so far, Kudus continues to be a vital part of West Ham’s setup, including in their recent 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
His message is clear: African players are more than just power and pace—they’re artists with the ball, and it’s time the world saw that.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 14, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Mohammed Kudus has reaffirmed his commitment to playing football his own way, emphasizing that his signature dribbling and expressive style will never change — no matter the stakes.
Despite a slightly underwhelming second season in the Premier League with West Ham United, where he’s managed five goals so far, the Ghanaian midfielder remains one of the league’s most electrifying talents. Kudus currently ranks among the top five dribblers in the English top flight and leads all players across Europe’s top five leagues in completed take-ons with 127 in 2024.
Speaking to Premier League Productions, Kudus passionately defended his footballing identity:
> “We are all different, and we all have our impact in the world, so there’s not a single day I’ll ever change my style of play for any coach, anybody, whatsoever,” he said.
> “I think me expressing myself on the pitch, playing how I play is just who I am, and that will never change.”
“At the end of the day, be the boy from Nima living his dream, and maybe people can find inspiration through that by being myself.”
The 24-year-old’s fearless approach to the game was on display again over the weekend as West Ham fell 2-1 to Liverpool, with Kudus featuring prominently.
While this season hasn’t matched the heights of his debut campaign, Kudus’ flair, courage, and authenticity continue to captivate fans and inspire young talents, especially back home in Ghana.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 14, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
As Arsenal prepare for a defining showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu, midfielder Thomas Partey remains calm and focused, exuding the quiet confidence of a team on the rise.
The Gunners head into Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg with a commanding 3-0 advantage, having stunned Real Madrid at the Emirates with a performance that left no doubt about their ambitions. Goals from Declan Rice—who struck twice from set-pieces—and a precise finish from Mikel Merino sealed a remarkable first-leg triumph.
Yet, despite the intimidating reputation of the Bernabeu, Partey is unfazed.
“We all know what we have to do,” he said. “We have to go there with the mentality to win. We want to win every game.”
For Partey, this isn’t just another fixture—it’s a reflection of how far Arsenal have come. Under their current leadership, the team has transformed into a resilient force, unfaltering even in football’s most daunting arenas.
“I think we’ve experienced this many times when we play here [at the Emirates], and I think it’s not going to be something different,” he added, brushing off any suggestions of nerves.
Partey’s calm words mirror a new-found maturity and determination within the Arsenal squad. With unity, belief, and an unwavering focus on victory, the Gunners are marching into Madrid not just to defend a lead—but to make a statement.
