by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 5, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Mohammed Kudus made a statement on his return from injury, delivering a decisive assist as West Ham United played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in Saturday’s Premier League encounter at the London Stadium.
After missing West Ham’s 1-0 defeat to Wolves earlier in the week due to injury, the Ghanaian midfielder was back in action and played 84 minutes in what proved to be a fiercely contested match. Kudus looked sharp throughout and made his presence felt in the second half, helping to engineer a comeback for the Hammers.
Bournemouth opened the scoring in the 38th minute through Brazilian forward Evanilson, putting the visitors ahead at the break. But the hosts responded strongly after halftime, with German striker Niclas Füllkrug finding the equalizer in the 61st minute.
Just seven minutes later, Kudus played provider, threading a precise pass to Jarrod Bowen, who made no mistake to put West Ham in front. The assist was a moment of magic in a season where Kudus has struggled for consistency, hampered by a 13-game goal drought, injuries, and a five-game suspension.
Despite West Ham’s turnaround, Bournemouth remained determined and clawed their way back into the game in the 79th minute, with Evanilson netting his second of the afternoon to ensure the spoils were shared.
Kudus was eventually replaced by Brazil’s Luis Guilherme in the 84th minute, having played a key role in West Ham’s attacking efforts. So far this season, he has registered three goals and three assists in 28 appearances — a modest return compared to his breakout debut season.
Meanwhile, fellow Ghanaian Antoine Semenyo was also in action, playing the full 90 minutes for Bournemouth.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 5, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The Black Queens of Ghana showed grit and determination as they claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Senegal in an international friendly on Saturday, April 5, 2025, despite being reduced to ten players late in the game.
Evelyn Badu netted the match-winner in the 24th minute, calmly slotting home a well-delivered cross from the left flank. Her early goal set the tone for the encounter, as Ghana held their nerve and composure to keep their hosts at bay for the rest of the match.
Coach Kim Lars Björkegren’s side faced a major test in the 63rd minute when midfielder Anasthesia Achiaa was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. But the Black Queens, down to ten women, stood tall and defended their slender lead with resolve and tactical discipline.
The match is part of a nine-day training camp in Senegal as Ghana continues preparations for the upcoming 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The two sides are set to meet again in the second friendly clash on Sunday, April 8, 2025.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 4, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Bayern Munich are exploring the possibility of bringing in Ghanaian defender Daniel Amartey on a temporary deal as they battle a deepening defensive injury crisis, according to German outlet Merkur.
The 30-year-old, currently a free agent after parting ways with Turkish giants Besiktas, is being considered as a short-term solution to help shore up Bayern’s backline. Known for his versatility and experience, Amartey boasts a solid resume with stints in Sweden, Denmark, and most notably, England’s Premier League.
Amartey first rose to prominence with Djurgardens IF in Sweden, earning a move to FC Copenhagen, before sealing a high-profile switch to Leicester City in 2016. At Leicester, he played a vital role in their historic Premier League title-winning campaign and remained a dependable figure in both central defense and midfield for several seasons.
Now, with Bayern struggling to cope with injuries to key defenders including Dayot Upamecano, Alphonso Davies, and Hiroki Ito, the club is reportedly weighing up their emergency options.
Other names under consideration include Serge Aurier, the experienced Ivorian full-back formerly of PSG and Tottenham, and Mario Rui, a left-back with Serie A pedigree from spells at AS Roma and Napoli.
However, Bundesliga regulations currently prevent free-agent signings outside the designated transfer windows, which may delay or even derail any immediate move for Amartey or the other candidates.
Still, with Bayern’s ambitions on the line and their defense stretched thin, a creative solution may be on the cards.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 4, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Despite back-to-back wins in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Ghana’s former Youth and Sports Minister, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, believes the Black Stars still have a long way to go in re-establishing their dominance on the international stage.
Ghana recently recorded emphatic victories—a 5-0 thrashing of Chad followed by a confident 3-0 win over Madagascar. While these results have propelled the Black Stars to the top of Group I with 15 points, Vanderpuye remains skeptical about the team’s overall growth.
“I want to see a Ghana national team that will strike fear or put every other team on alert that they are playing Ghana—whether it’s Argentina or Brazil,” he said passionately.
According to him, the performances, despite the large margins, lack the spark and consistency needed to restore Ghana’s status as a global football powerhouse. He believes the team must develop a true “fear factor”—an identity that instills respect and caution in any opponent they face.
His remarks serve as a call to action for the team to not just win games but do so with an aura of dominance and tactical maturity, especially as the road to the 2026 World Cup grows more competitive.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 4, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
After weeks of absence and growing concern, Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus is on the brink of returning to action for West Ham United as they prepare to host Bournemouth in Premier League matchweek 31 this Saturday.
Kudus missed the Hammers’ 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday due to a recent injury setback. However, there’s a glimmer of hope for the East London club, as the 23-year-old resumed light training on Wednesday, raising the possibility of his inclusion in the weekend squad.
Speaking ahead of the match, West Ham boss David Moyes offered a positive update: “Mo [Kudus] was in light training today and again has a chance.”
The former Ajax star has found this campaign more challenging compared to his debut season. Despite making 27 appearances, Kudus has managed only three goals and two assists, enduring a 13-game goal drought and serving a five-game suspension along the way.
With just a handful of matches left in the season, Kudus will be keen to rediscover his rhythm and end the campaign on a strong note — both for his club and to stay sharp for national duties with Ghana.
