by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 17, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Everton manager David Moyes has revealed the club’s interest in signing Ghanaian forward Ernest Nuamah during the ongoing January transfer window. Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Everton’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur, Moyes acknowledged that the Black Stars talent is among the players the club is actively monitoring.
“He’s a player that I know we’ve been looking at, but I couldn’t say for sure that it’s done or even underway unless there’s something happening that I’m unaware of,” Moyes stated. “We’re considering several players, and Ernest Nuamah is one of them. Hopefully, we can make some signings before the window closes.”
According to reports from Sportsblog247.com, Everton and Olympique Lyon have reached an agreement on a transfer fee for Nuamah. The deal is expected to be finalized early next week, pending formalities.
Nuamah, who has impressed with his performances for both club and country, is seen as a promising addition to Everton’s squad as the team looks to bolster its attacking options for the remainder of the season.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 17, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council member, Frederick Acheampong, has called on Ghanaians to rally behind Black Stars coach Otto Addo as the team gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.
Despite uncertainty surrounding Addo’s long-term future, it appears certain that the former Ghana international will lead the team in their crucial fixtures against Chad and Madagascar. Addo has faced criticism following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with divided opinions about his capacity to guide the team forward.
Acheampong, however, has expressed unwavering confidence in the coach, urging the nation to stand united. Speaking on Kumasi-based Akoma FM, he remarked:
“We have confidence in him. He is the coach and needs our support. If you and I lose confidence in him, who does he turn to? Yes, the results from the AFCON qualifiers were not the best—he admits that, and I do too. But what he needs is our full support to help him negotiate the World Cup qualifiers successfully.”
The Black Stars will host Chad in Kumasi on Monday, March 17, before traveling to face Madagascar between March 17-25, 2025. Other qualification matches are scheduled for September and October, with opponents including the Central African Republic and Comoros.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico from June to July 2026.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 17, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, International, Soccer
The FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour has officially kicked off, bringing the iconic silverware to football fans around the globe. With Africa hosting key stops in Cairo, Tunis, Casablanca, and Pretoria, the continent’s growing influence in world football is once again in the spotlight.
This tour offers a unique opportunity for fans to get up close with the prestigious trophy ahead of the much-anticipated 2025 tournament in the United States. Set to feature 32 elite clubs, the expanded competition will begin in Miami on June 14, 2025, and span 63 matches across 12 venues. The grand finale will take place at the legendary MetLife Stadium in New York on July 13, where the ultimate club champions will be crowned.
Africa will proudly be represented by four football powerhouses: Egypt’s Al Ahly, Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, and Morocco’s Wydad AC.
Each stop on the trophy tour celebrates the deep footballing heritage of the host cities. In Cairo, home to African giants Al Ahly, fans will revel in their club’s legacy. Tunis and Pretoria will highlight the passion of their rich football traditions, while Casablanca shines as a growing football hub, solidified by Morocco’s recent successes in hosting major tournaments like the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and their pivotal role in the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
This tour symbolizes not just the excitement for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup but also Africa’s ever-growing prominence on the global football stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 17, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, International, Soccer, World Cup
In 2024, Morocco’s tourism industry reached unprecedented heights, welcoming 17.4 million international visitors—a 20% increase from the previous year and a significant leap from pre-pandemic figures.
This remarkable growth is attributed to strategic initiatives such as the introduction of 120 new airline routes, including American Airlines’ direct Newark-Marrakech flight, and the opening of luxury hotels by renowned brands like Four Seasons and Nobu. These developments have not only enhanced accessibility but also elevated the country’s appeal to global travelers.
Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor lauded this achievement, stating, “This milestone brings us closer to our goal of ranking among the world’s top 15 tourist destinations.”
Looking ahead, Morocco is set to host major football events, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2025 and the FIFA World Cup in 2030, co-hosted with Spain and Portugal. These tournaments are expected to further boost tourism, with projections indicating annual arrivals could reach 26 million by the end of the decade.
To accommodate this anticipated influx, the government plans to expand airport capacities to handle 80 million passengers by 2030, up from the current 38 million. This includes significant expansions at Casablanca, Marrakech, and Agadir airports.
Additionally, investments are being made to upgrade stadiums and infrastructure, including the construction of a new 115,000-seat stadium near Casablanca, positioning Morocco as a premier destination for both tourism and international football.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 17, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris has urged patience as Ghanaian midfielder Salis Abdul Samed works his way back to full fitness following a six-month injury layoff.
The 24-year-old finally made his debut for the Black Cats in their 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Stoke City on Saturday, January 11, 2025. Samed, who joined Sunderland on a season-long loan from Ligue 1 side RC Lens, had been sidelined for nearly five months before stepping onto the pitch for his new club.
Despite Sunderland’s exit from the competition, Le Bris expressed relief at Samed’s return and praised his performance. “It’s great to have Salis back after such a long injury. He’ll need time to reach his best level, but today was a good step forward,” the coach said.
Samed showed glimpses of his quality during the game but was involved in a critical moment of misfortune. A misplaced back pass in extra time allowed Stoke’s Niall Ennis to score the winning goal, ending Sunderland’s FA Cup run.
While the result was disappointing, Samed’s return brings optimism to Sunderland, who are focused on their Championship promotion campaign. Fans and the coaching staff will hope to see the experienced Ghana international rediscover his top form in the weeks to come.
