by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 15, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
West Ham United’s all-time top scorer, Michail Antonio, has offered words of wisdom to his teammate Mohammed Kudus, emphasizing the importance of resilience to thrive at the Premier League club.
Speaking to Joy Sports during a visit to Ghana, Antonio highlighted the unique challenges of playing for West Ham, particularly dealing with the passionate and demanding fanbase.
“One of the key tips I’ve shared with Kudus is to be resilient,” Antonio said. “West Ham fans are relentless. They expect a lot from you, and if things go wrong, they let you know very quickly. But at the same time, they’re forgiving and supportive when you show effort.”
Antonio reflected on his own experiences with the Hammers’ supporters.
“When the team is struggling, the fans will sing their hearts out for you. But if you’re at the top and lose two games, they’ll boo. It’s a rollercoaster, and you need to be mentally strong to handle it. I’ve been booed many times, but I’ve also felt their love and support when it mattered most.”
Kudus, who has made an impressive start since joining West Ham, is currently serving a five-game suspension following an incident against Tottenham. Antonio believes the young Ghanaian midfielder is gaining valuable insight into the pressures of playing for a club with high expectations.
The 34-year-old Jamaican international made these remarks while visiting Kumasi to oversee the progress of his Samba Stars Academy, further cementing his ties to African football.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 15, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
West Ham United striker Michail Antonio has heaped praise on Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus, describing him as an “unbelievable” talent who continues to impress both on and off the pitch.
Kudus, who joined the Hammers last season, has quickly become a fan favorite with his dazzling skills and flair. His performances have not only been pivotal for West Ham but have also attracted interest from top European clubs, with Arsenal rumored to be closely monitoring him.
Speaking to Joy Sports during a recent visit to Ghana, Antonio couldn’t hide his admiration for Kudus.
“He’s unbelievable. The guy, some of the tricks he does in training, some of the tricks he does in games, is just [amazing],” Antonio said.
Antonio recounted the challenge of defending against Kudus, even in training.
“You can’t get the ball off him. You know what he’s going to do because you’ve seen it in training, and you think, ‘He won’t do it to me’—but he does, and you’re left stunned,” Antonio laughed.
Highlighting Kudus’ creativity, Antonio added, “The little things he does—flicking the ball over you, the tricks, the dinks—they’re all just brilliant. Mo is a top-quality player, still young, and has an incredibly exciting future ahead of him.”
Antonio shared these remarks while in Ghana to check on the progress of his Samba Stars Academy in Kumasi, further strengthening his connection to the country and its footballing culture.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 15, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Ghana’s journey to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has hit a critical juncture as the Black Stars gear up for a must-win encounter against Angola on Friday at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda.
A glimmer of hope emerged for the struggling Black Stars after Niger delivered a stunning 4-0 victory over Sudan in Lome on Thursday. Despite this, the result pushed Ghana to the bottom of the group standings, intensifying their challenge.
For Ghana to keep their AFCON dreams alive, they must secure all three points against the already-qualified Palancas Negras. A win would place them within two points of Sudan, setting the stage for a tense final round of matches. However, their path remains steep, as victories against Angola and Niger, coupled with Sudan dropping points, are necessary to guarantee qualification.
Complicating matters for coach Otto Addo is a growing list of injuries to key players. Central defenders Alexander Djiku and Mohammed Salisu are sidelined, alongside Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey and Feyenoord prospect Ibrahim Osman. Jerome Opoku and Jonas Adjetey join them on the absentee list, while attacking options have also been depleted with Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams ruled out.
Despite these setbacks, Addo has brought in replacements, hoping they can rise to the occasion and deliver Ghana’s first win in the qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Angola, under coach Pedro Goncalves, have little pressure but plenty of pride at stake. They have already secured their AFCON berth and boast an impressive unbeaten streak since March 2024. Determined to maintain their form, the Palancas Negras will not make things easy for the Black Stars.
As Ghana battles against the odds, their clash with Angola promises to be a high-stakes encounter that could define their AFCON destiny.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 15, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
The Super Eagles family has come together to support their teammate Stanley Nwabali, who recently lost his father. Nwabali, Nigeria’s goalkeeper and a key player in the recent 1-1 draw against Benin that secured the nation’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), shared the tragic news on social media.
In a heartfelt post, the South Africa-based shot-stopper paid tribute to his late father, writing, “Rest in peace, dad” and “Rest in heaven”, accompanied by emotional emojis.
The news drew an outpouring of love and support from his teammates. Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong led the tributes with a touching message: “Love you my brother, Nwabali, we dey together.” Victor Boniface, in stellar form for Bayer Leverkusen, added his encouragement, saying, “Stay strong bro.” Similarly, Moses Simon offered his heartfelt support with the words, “Stay strong bro, we are together.”
Amas Obasogie, the team’s third-choice goalkeeper, shared a deeply personal message: “My Chief, I hold you close in my thoughts in this sad time. I’m deeply sorry for your loss.”
As the team prepares for their final AFCON qualifier against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, there remains uncertainty about whether Nwabali will remain in camp or take time off to be with his family.
The Super Eagles have shown their solidarity during this difficult time, proving once again that their bond extends beyond the pitch.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 15, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Victor Osimhen’s dramatic 81st-minute header, assisted by Simon Moses, has sealed Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Facing a tough challenge from Benin in their AFCON qualifier, the Super Eagles were trailing 1-0 after Mohamed Tijani’s first-half goal. Despite dominating possession, Nigeria struggled to break through Benin’s defense, leaving the game hanging in the balance.
As the match neared its conclusion, Osimhen came through when it mattered most, rising above the defense to score a crucial equalizer from Moses’ perfectly delivered cross. The goal ensured Nigeria earned a 1-1 draw, securing their passage to next year’s tournament in Morocco.
Following the match, Turkish football giants Galatasaray, who famously won the 1999-2000 UEFA Europa League, took to social media to congratulate Osimhen for his decisive performance. The club celebrated his role in securing Nigeria’s spot in the tournament, saying, “Congratulations to Victor Osimhen who scored the only goal for Nigeria in the 1-1 draw with Benin in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, securing their qualification from the group stage.”
With 11 points in the group, Nigeria is now assured of their place in the 2025 AFCON finals, with a final qualifier against Rwanda still to play. The Super Eagles will look to finish their campaign on a strong note when they host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
