by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 23, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
German-Ghanaian defender Derrick Köhn is rapidly winning hearts at SV Werder Bremen with his stellar performances. The 25-year-old left-back played a pivotal role in Bremen’s dominant 4-1 win over 1. FC Union Berlin, contributing two crucial assists and showcasing why he’s become indispensable to the team.
Currently on loan from Galatasaray Istanbul, Köhn has made it clear he’s open to a permanent stay at Bremen. Speaking to BILD about his future, he said, “I feel very comfortable here in Bremen – so yes,” hinting at his desire to extend his time at the Weser. With a purchase option set at €5 million, Bremen appears well-positioned to make his move permanent if his form continues.
Köhn’s numbers speak volumes—13 appearances, two goals, and two assists in the Bundesliga so far—highlighting his importance to Bremen’s impressive campaign. His consistency has helped the team end the year in seventh place, just two points shy of a Champions League spot, fueling optimism for an even stronger second half of the season.
Bremen resumes their campaign on January 12 against RB Leipzig, with Köhn expected to remain a key figure. As talks about his future loom, fans and management alike are hopeful that the talented defender will become a permanent part of their squad.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 23, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA
New York City FC has bolstered their attacking options with the acquisition of Ghanaian-Danish forward Ato Junior Smith in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. The 22-year-old striker, who previously played for the University of Virginia, was selected as the 78th overall pick in the third round of the annual draft.
Despite enduring a challenging college season plagued by injuries, Smith’s determination and performances caught the attention of NYCFC. Reflecting on the milestone, Smith shared his excitement and gratitude.
“I’m super grateful and honored by the opportunity,” he said. “The college season was short, and I struggled with injuries, including a sprained ligament during pre-season. After recovering, I played a few games before getting injured again. But I kept pushing, and eventually, I started to perform well, which led to this moment. Honestly, I didn’t expect to be drafted, so this feels amazing.”
Smith’s football journey began in Denmark, where he developed his skills with Fremad Amager before moving to the U.S. for collegiate soccer. As a player of Ghanaian descent, Smith remains eligible to represent the Black Stars at the international level.
For NYCFC, the young forward represents an exciting prospect as the club looks to build a competitive squad for the 2025 MLS season. Smith will aim to impress during pre-season and earn a spot in the first team.
With his talent, resilience, and versatility, Ato Junior Smith’s rise to professional football is a testament to perseverance and ambition.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 23, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian footballers delivered standout performances over the weekend across various leagues worldwide, with Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, Geoffrey Acheampong, and Samuel Obeng finding the back of the net for their respective clubs. Here’s a comprehensive roundup of their exploits:
England
Antoine Semenyo stole the spotlight in the Premier League, netting his fifth goal of the season in Bournemouth’s stunning 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Mohammed Kudus also made his mark, scoring a crucial equalizer in West Ham’s 1-1 draw against Brighton, where Tariq Lamptey made a late appearance.
Arsenal’s Thomas Partey provided an assist in a commanding 5-1 derby win over Crystal Palace, while Jordan Ayew featured for Leicester City in a 3-0 defeat to Wolves.
Spain
In La Liga, Inaki Williams recorded an assist in Athletic Bilbao’s 2-1 triumph over Osasuna, maintaining his impressive form.
Italy
Caleb Ekuban made a brief cameo for Genoa in their narrow loss to Napoli, while Felix Afena-Gyan continued his hot streak for Juventus Next Gen, scoring in a thrilling 3-3 draw in Serie C.
Germany
In Bundesliga II, Christopher Antwi-Adjei played a key role in Schalke’s 4-1 rout of Elversborg.
Belgium
Denis Odoi and Christopher Bonsu Baah contributed to wins for Antwerp and Genk, respectively, while Ghanaian duo Lawrence Agyekum and Francis Abu featured in Cercle Brugge’s victory.
Portugal
Samuel Obeng found the net for Casa Pia in their emphatic 3-1 win over Arouca, highlighting his growing influence in the league.
Other Highlights
Geoffrey Acheampong scored for Sliema in Malta, while Abdul Baba Rahman impressed in PAOK’s win in Greece. Alexander Djiku and Joseph Attamah showcased their talents in Turkey.
Ghanaian players continue to make significant strides on the global stage, proving their quality and consistency week after week.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 23, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
West Ham United forward Mohammed Kudus remains optimistic about the team’s potential after their 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday at the London Olympic Stadium. The Ghanaian international believes that the quality within the squad can lead to remarkable success if the team finds its rhythm and works cohesively.
“We’re together as a group, and I think we’re getting there,” Kudus told the club’s website. “We have a lot of quality, and I think there is a lot that we can achieve. It’s about completing the puzzle together, and hopefully, we can do better again in the next game.”
The game saw Brighton take the lead shortly after halftime when Mats Wieffer scored his first goal for the club. A high ball from Pervis Estupiñán into the box forced a weak clearance from West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, allowing Wieffer to strike from close range.
West Ham equalized just seven minutes later. Jarrod Bowen dazzled with a brilliant run, unleashing a shot that Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen could only parry. Kudus, alert and well-positioned, headed in the rebound to secure a point for the Hammers.
West Ham will look to build on this result when they travel to St. Mary’s to face Southampton in their next Premier League clash on December 26.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 23, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Mohammed Kudus made his mark for West Ham United in their hard-fought 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion at the London Olympic Stadium. The match saw an early second-half breakthrough from Brighton when Mats Wieffer capitalized on a partial clearance by West Ham’s goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to put the visitors ahead.
However, just seven minutes later, West Ham responded. Jarrod Bowen surged forward and unleashed a shot, which Brighton’s goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen parried. Kudus, always alert to the situation, was in the perfect spot to head in the rebound, drawing the game level.
In a post-match interview, Kudus shared his satisfaction in contributing to the result, expressing that scoring brings him confidence. “As an attacker, it’s always good to score, and it will really help my confidence,” he said. Although he wished for a victory, he remained positive about the outcome.
Looking ahead, Kudus and his teammates will face Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium on December 26, where they will aim to secure all three points.
