by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 7, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Luton Town manager Jack Wilshere has expressed his satisfaction after the club secured the permanent signing of England-born Ghanaian attacker Gideon Kodua, underlining the forward’s growing importance to his team’s style and identity.
The League One side confirmed on Friday, February 6, that Kodua’s loan spell from Premier League outfit West Ham United has been converted into a long-term deal.
Reacting to the announcement, Wilshere praised not only Kodua’s on-field impact but also his professionalism and mindset behind the scenes.
“Gids is so important to how we want to play,” Wilshere said. “He’s one I knew a lot about before coming here, especially after he scored against my team in the FA Youth Cup final for West Ham. Since we’ve been in, he’s been outstanding for us.”
The former Arsenal and England midfielder highlighted Kodua’s productivity, pointing to his goalscoring record, but stressed that his real value goes beyond the numbers.
“His output is there for everyone to see with the number of goals he’s scored. But what people don’t always see is his attitude towards working hard and improving himself every single day on the training ground.”
Wilshere added that the 21-year-old has quickly grown into a leader within the squad, making the decision to sign him permanently an easy one.
“He’s emerged as a key character in the group and someone we’re delighted to have with us for the long term, not just for the rest of this season.”
Kodua has enjoyed an impressive campaign so far, scoring 10 goals in 31 appearances across competitions. His consistent performances, work rate, and commitment have endeared him to the Luton faithful at Kenilworth Road, with his efforts now rewarded by a permanent stay at the club.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 7, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo has opened up about the confidence-boosting message he received from Pep Guardiola after completing his headline-making £65 million move to Manchester City.
Rather than overwhelming the 26-year-old with tactical demands, Guardiola delivered a refreshingly simple instruction: stay true to yourself.
“Just continue playing your game,” Semenyo recalled. “Play free, express yourself, shoot, dribble—do whatever feels right for you.”
The message, according to Semenyo, was exactly what he needed as he stepped into one of the most demanding environments in world football. Guardiola’s approach, rooted in trust and creative freedom, reassured the Ghanaian that he was signed for who he is—not to be reshaped into something else.
“He encouraged me not to change who I am as a footballer, but to play with confidence and express myself fully,” Semenyo explained.
That trust has already shown on the pitch. Since his January arrival at the Etihad, Semenyo has made an immediate impact, chipping in with crucial goals and assists as City continue their push on multiple fronts.
With Manchester City battling for both the Premier League and Champions League, Guardiola’s faith could prove decisive—not just for the club’s ambitions, but for Semenyo’s growth into a key figure for City and the Ghana national team.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 7, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, USA, World Cup
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has clarified that the Government of Ghana will temporarily assume responsibility for paying the salaries of newly appointed members of the Black Stars’ technical team.
The clarification follows public discussion after the GFA announced the addition of five new backroom staff to support head coach Otto Addo as Ghana intensifies preparations for upcoming international engagements and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The new appointees are Alain Ravera and Kim Lars Björkegren as assistant coaches, José Daniel Martínez Alfonso as scout and video analyst, Carlos Lozano Romero as team physiotherapist, and Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi as performance coach.
Concerns were raised over the financial implications of expanding the technical team, prompting the GFA to explain the funding arrangement.
Speaking on Akoma FM, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum said the government’s involvement is a short-term measure.
“It is a temporary arrangement, and the government has agreed to cover the remuneration of these coaches for the period of their engagement,” he stated.
According to the GFA, the additional appointments are part of a broader strategy to improve the Black Stars’ competitiveness following mixed results in recent international competitions.
Ravera and Björkegren are expected to add depth and experience to the coaching setup, Martínez Alfonso will strengthen scouting and match analysis, Romero will enhance medical and player welfare services, while Peasah Paa Kwesi will oversee physical conditioning and performance optimisation within the squad.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 7, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana forward Kamaldeen Sulemana found the net as Atalanta cruised to a convincing 3–0 victory over Juventus to secure a place in the semifinals of the 2025/26 Coppa Italia.
Kamaldeen made an instant impact after coming off the bench, scoring just seven minutes after his introduction to put the game beyond doubt. Despite an impressive performance against Como last weekend, the 23-year-old began the quarterfinal clash on the sidelines amid ongoing speculation about his future.
Atalanta opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Gianluca Scamacca calmly converted from the penalty spot to give the hosts a deserved lead heading into halftime.
The advantage was doubled in the 77th minute through Kamaldeen, who continued his fine record against Juventus with his third goal of the season across all competitions. He had previously scored against the Turin giants in the league, with his other goal this campaign coming against Torino.
Mario Pašalić completed the dominant performance five minutes from time, sealing Atalanta’s passage into the final four of the competition.
With the win, Atalanta join Inter as the teams already assured of a semifinal spot, while Bologna, Lazio, Como and Napoli will compete for the two remaining places.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 7, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
British-born Ghanaian performance specialist Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi has been appointed as the Performance Coach of the Black Stars in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Peasah Paa Kwesi joins the national team’s technical setup with key responsibilities covering physical conditioning, workload management, player optimisation, and overall performance enhancement throughout Ghana’s World Cup campaign.
He is no stranger to the Black Stars environment, having previously supported the team in a similar capacity when required.
The appointment is part of a wider technical reinforcement by the Ghana Football Association following the Black Stars’ qualification for the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The move reflects the GFA’s established approach of strengthening both coaching and support structures ahead of major international competitions.
Working closely with the medical and technical teams, Peasah Paa Kwesi is expected to play a vital role in keeping players at peak fitness levels, particularly in light of the demanding international calendar leading into the tournament.
He will operate under the leadership of head coach Otto Addo as Ghana look to make a strong impression on football’s biggest stage.
