by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 6, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Hong Kong – A Night of Magic at Tseung Kwan O
On a thrilling Wednesday evening at the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground, Ghanaian forward Noah Baffoe stole the spotlight as Eastern AA clinched a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Southern District in the Hong Kong Premier League.
The highly anticipated Round 9 encounter began with Eastern AA dominating possession, but despite their control, they couldn’t break the deadlock in the first half. The frustration lingered until five minutes into the second half when Noah Baffoe produced a moment of brilliance—a powerful, precise strike that finally gave Eastern AA the lead.
Baffoe’s goal ignited the home side, pushing them to press harder. Their persistence paid off in the 74th minute, as veteran Serbian forward Alexandar Mitrovic doubled their advantage. Although Gregory managed to pull one back for Southern District, it was too little, too late.
With this latest goal, Baffoe now boasts an impressive 11 goals in 15 appearances for the 2024/25 season, solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s most lethal finishers.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 6, 2025 | Uncategorized
Once a guiding force behind Ghana’s Black Stars, Kwesi Appiah has seen it all—the triumphs, the heartbreaks, and the unending debates over the captain’s armband. Now, as controversy swirls once again over the team’s leadership, he offers a stark reminder: no individual should place personal ambition above national success.
In a candid interview with Luv FM, Appiah questioned why some players prioritize wearing the armband over making meaningful contributions on the pitch. “If you don’t have the armband, will people not see you as a big player? Is it about you, or is it about the team?” he asked pointedly.
His words come amid Ghana’s ongoing captaincy shuffle. With Thomas Partey unavailable for the AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Sudan, Mohammed Kudus was entrusted with the role. But soon after, Jordan Ayew was handed the captaincy for clashes against Angola and Niger, leading to concerns about instability. Reports now indicate Ayew has been named the team’s permanent captain.
Captaincy disputes are not new to Ghanaian football. In 2019, Asamoah Gyan was stripped of the armband in favor of Andre Ayew, sparking outrage and a brief international retirement. Now, history threatens to repeat itself.
With the Black Stars set to face Chad and Madagascar in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on March 21 and 24, Appiah’s message is clear: national pride must come first. “If, because of captaincy, your country will lose, will you say your country should lose? No.”
As the team moves forward, the question remains—will the players heed his call?
by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 6, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo has sent a heartfelt message to Ghanaian fans, urging them to rally behind the Black Stars as they prepare for two decisive World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar in March.
With an impressive tally of nine goals across all competitions this season, Semenyo has been a key figure for his club. Now, he shifts his focus to national duty, calling on fans to show their unwavering support.
“As you know, we’ve got our World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar. I’m just reaching out to say continue praying for us. Continue being with us, continue supporting us; we need you more than ever,” Semenyo shared via the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The Black Stars will host Chad in Accra on March 21 before traveling to face Madagascar three days later. Recognizing the significance of these matches, Semenyo emphasized their impact on Ghana’s World Cup dreams.
“These two games are so important and crucial for our qualification in the World Cup, so please continue praying for us,” he added.
Concluding his message, the forward expressed his excitement about seeing fans at the games, saying, “We look forward to seeing you and hopefully we can get two wins.”
With the support of passionate Ghanaian fans, the Black Stars aim to take a big step toward securing a spot in the FIFA World Cup.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 6, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
As Kwame scrolled through the latest headlines, his heart sank. Another controversy was brewing in Ghanaian football. This time, it was about the 2022 World Cup budget, and former Techiman City Football Club President, Mickey Charles, had unveiled a disturbing reality.
During an interview on Peace FM, Mickey Charles claimed to have obtained a breakdown of Ghana’s World Cup expenses. According to him, the figures painted a troubling picture of financial mismanagement. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) allegedly exhausted the $1.5 million grant from FIFA and then requested an additional $12 million from the government.
Kwame, a lifelong football fan, couldn’t believe his ears. “How did we end up here again?” he muttered, remembering past financial scandals that had tarnished the nation’s footballing reputation.
Mickey Charles didn’t mince words. He accused certain individuals of dubious dealings, using FIFA as a shield to silence critics whenever questions arose. “Why are we doing this to ourselves?” he lamented, highlighting how such practices cripple the development of football in Ghana.
For Kwame, and many other passionate supporters, this wasn’t just about money. It was about trust, about the hope they placed in their national team, only to see it tainted by allegations of corruption. The love for football remained, but the faith in those managing it? That was quickly fading.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 6, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Prince Kwabena Adu’s dream of wearing the Black Stars jersey was once within reach, only to slip away just as quickly. In 2020, the talented striker received a late call-up to the Ghana national team, only to be sent home when the original player decided to honor his invitation. It was a bittersweet moment—so close yet so far.
But the 21-year-old forward, now making waves with Viktoria Plzeň, never lost faith. As he prepares for a crucial Europa League showdown against Lazio, Adu remains driven by the belief that his performances in Europe will open the doors to another opportunity with the Black Stars.
“In that moment, I was still proud,” Adu reflected. “Out of so many players, I was chosen. That meant something.”
Determined to write a new chapter, he is putting in the hard work, hoping his efforts will catch the eye of Ghana’s national team selectors. “I am working hard for that,” he declared, his sights set on redemption.
For Adu, the journey is far from over—his second chance could be just around the corner.
