by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 3, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Former Black Stars head coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor has said he would gladly encourage his sons to represent Ghana at senior international level if the opportunity presents itself.
Akonnor revealed this in an interview with Graphic Sports, explaining that while both players were born and raised in Germany, he would not stand in the way of a potential switch of international allegiance.
His elder son, Charles Jesaja Herrmann (25), recently joined German lower-division side FC Bocholt, having previously featured for VfL Wolfsburg and Hannover 96. His younger son, Charles Kwablan Herrmann (18), is regarded as one of Europe’s exciting young wingers and currently plays for Cercle Brugge in Belgium.
Akonnor described his younger son’s move to Belgium as a major step forward and confirmed he was personally involved in facilitating the transfer.
Admitting that his children’s ties to Ghana are limited due to their upbringing in Germany, the former Ghana captain stressed that national team decisions would ultimately be made with care and timing in mind.
“It’s difficult to convince them to come to Ghana because they grew up in Germany, but of course, if the need be or if the opportunity arises, we will be able to make that decision,” Akonnor said.
Born in 2006, the younger Herrmann has already built an impressive résumé at youth level with Germany. He was part of the squads that won both the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the UEFA U-17 European Championship, underlining his growing reputation on the international stage. In 2024, he moved from Borussia Dortmund to Borussia Mönchengladbach before later joining Cercle Brugge.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 2, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian international Antoine Semenyo continued his sensational start at Manchester City by scoring against Tottenham in a match that ended in a 2-2 draw. His early goal, arriving just before halftime, helped his new side regain momentum after falling behind to Rayan Cherki’s opener for Pep Guardiola’s team.
Back in the starting XI after missing the European outing due to registration rules, Semenyo wasted no time making an impact. He first tested goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario with a powerful shot, signaling his intent. Moments later, Bernardo Silva set him up, and the Ghanaian striker calmly guided a left-footed finish into the net, doubling City’s lead before the break.
Although City surrendered the advantage in the second half through a Marc Guehi own goal and a stunning scorpion kick from Dominic Solanke, Semenyo’s performance highlighted his growing influence. In just five appearances for Manchester City, he has already contributed directly to five goals — four strikes and one assist — according to Transfermarkt.
Across the Premier League season, Semenyo has now scored 12 goals. His strike against Tottenham also echoed a recent performance with Bournemouth, where he netted against the same opponents just 25 days earlier, helping seal a memorable 3-2 win.
Semenyo’s goal also saw him match a record held by Togolese legend Emmanuel Adebayor. According to Opta, he is only the second player in Premier League history to score in four of his first five appearances for Manchester City across all competitions, following Adebayor in 2009.
From a Ghanaian perspective, fans had hoped for a Semenyo vs. Mohammed Kudus showdown. However, Kudus remained sidelined due to a muscle injury, removing a potential subplot from the fixture. Nevertheless, Semenyo’s energy, movement, and confidence throughout the game kept the spotlight firmly on him.
Ahead of the clash, Semenyo had sent a succinct message to Tottenham via X, posting a match graphic with just one word: “Ready.”
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 2, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman has arrived in Spain ahead of his anticipated move to Atletico Madrid, with the two clubs having already agreed on a transfer deal for the 28-year-old Nigerian international.
Lookman has been granted permission to travel to Madrid to complete the formalities of the transfer, including a medical examination and contract signing. Atletico Madrid confirmed his arrival in an official statement.
“The clubs have agreed to the transfer of 28-year-old Nigerian international Ademola Lookman, who is already in Madrid,” the LaLiga side said. “The agreement is pending a medical examination and the signing of his contract.”
The move is expected to cost Atletico approximately €40 million. This season, Lookman has scored three goals in 19 appearances across all competitions for Atalanta.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 2, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Soccer
Sunderland are reportedly preparing to part ways with Simon Adingra just six months after the Ivory Coast winger joined the Stadium of Light. According to multiple reports, the 24-year-old is set to move to Ligue 1 side Monaco on loan, with the French club paying an initial €1 million and an option to make the transfer permanent for €18.5 million.
If the deal goes through, Sunderland would take a small financial loss on the €24.4 million they spent to bring Adingra to England at the start of the season. The move would also mean that the Ivorian’s combined career transfer fees would surpass €50 million, despite limited success at two Premier League clubs.
Adingra first emerged as a talent at Danish side Nordsjaelland, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists in 40 appearances.
Brighton snapped him up just 18 months after his senior debut for €8 million, immediately sending him on loan to sister club Union SG in Belgium. There, he impressed further with 15 goals and 14 assists in 51 games.
Returning to Brighton in 2023, Adingra was quickly integrated into the Seagulls’ starting XI, scoring six goals and providing one assist across 31 Premier League matches. However, managerial changes in 2024 under Fabian Hürzeler saw him drop down the pecking order, ultimately prompting his move to Sunderland in the summer of 2025 for more regular playing time.
Now, just half a year later, Monaco appear ready to secure the Ivory Coast international’s services, continuing a career defined by high transfer fees and potential yet to be fully realized.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 2, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Certain players are built for moments of extreme pressure, the kind where seasons — and sometimes careers — hang in the balance. These are the players described as “clutch,” the ones who rise when the stakes are highest and refuse to fade when everything is on the line.
For Nottingham Forest, Taiwo Awoniyi has repeatedly proven to be that player.
Once again, Forest find themselves battling relegation, with survival rather than silverware dominating the mood at the City Ground. While other clubs dream of title races and European glory, Forest’s immediate focus is far simpler — staying in the Premier League.
Since their top-flight return in 2022, the Reds have lived in survival mode. Awoniyi, part of the club’s ambitious recruitment drive that summer, settled quickly and etched his name into club history by scoring Forest’s first Premier League goal in over two decades. He finished his debut season in double figures, delivering his biggest impact when it mattered most.
That campaign ended with a dramatic flourish. Awoniyi struck six goals in Forest’s final four matches, including the decisive winner against Arsenal that sealed safety and sparked emotional celebrations around the City Ground.
The Nigerian international repeated the feat the following season, playing a key role in helping Forest avoid the drop once more. The 2024/25 campaign saw the club push even further, briefly flirting with Champions League qualification before ultimately securing a Europa League place.
Awoniyi’s journey has not been without setbacks. A serious injury tested his resolve, but the powerful striker refused to let adversity define him. Under manager Sean Dyche, he worked his way back into contention, delivering a reminder of his value with a crucial goal off the bench against Brentford — a strike that prompted fans to draw playful comparisons with Brazilian icon Ronaldo.
Dyche praised Awoniyi’s mindset, encouraging him to rediscover his joy on the pitch. For Awoniyi, that “professional enjoyment” has often translated into decisive contributions at key moments.
The victory at Brentford proved vital in Forest’s latest survival push, and once again, Awoniyi was at the heart of it. He may not always be the most prolific scorer, but time and again, his goals arrive when Forest need them most.
Quality over quantity has become his calling card. When the pressure peaks and survival is at stake, Taiwo Awoniyi comes alive — and that, in every sense, is clutch.
