by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 12, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Southampton, England – Ghanaian winger Kamaldeen Sulemana delivered a masterclass performance on Sunday, leading Southampton FC to a dominant 3-0 victory over Swansea City in the FA Cup at St. Mary’s Stadium.
The 21-year-old opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a spectacular lob over Swansea goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin, capitalizing on a perfectly threaded pass from midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu. Sulemana’s brilliance didn’t stop there; just 15 minutes later, he turned provider, setting up teenage sensation Tyler Dibling to double the Saints’ lead.
Dibling continued his fine form, adding his second goal and Southampton’s third in the 65th minute, putting the game beyond Swansea’s reach. Sulemana, who dazzled throughout the match, was substituted in the 67th minute to a standing ovation, making way for Adam Armstrong.
A product of Ghana’s esteemed Right to Dream Academy, Sulemana has become a key figure for Southampton amid ongoing transfer speculation. European clubs such as Ajax, Nantes, and Genoa are reportedly monitoring the talented winger.
Sunday’s performance not only underscores Sulemana’s immense potential but also highlights his importance to Southampton as they aim to make a deep run in the FA Cup.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 12, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Southampton reluctant to sanction loan deal for the Ghanaian forward
Kamaldeen Sulemana’s future at Southampton remains uncertain as Ligue 1 side Nantes join the race to sign the talented winger during the January transfer window. Despite the French club’s preference for a loan deal, Southampton have made their stance clear—they want a permanent transfer.
The 22-year-old Ghanaian, who arrived at St. Mary’s in January 2023, has drawn interest from several European clubs, including Ajax and Genoa. However, Southampton are firm on their €20 million asking price, a valuation that was agreed upon with Benfica last summer before the deal fell through.
Nantes see Sulemana as a dynamic addition to their attack as they aim to climb the Ligue 1 table. However, Southampton’s unwillingness to accept a temporary move has put the potential transfer in jeopardy.
Known for his electrifying pace and flair on the ball, Sulemana has been a standout player for the Saints, even as the club has struggled in recent seasons. While a move to Nantes could provide the Ghanaian forward with a fresh challenge, the financial constraints of a permanent transfer may force the French side to look elsewhere.
As the January window unfolds, the focus will be on whether any club is willing to meet Southampton’s demands or if Sulemana will remain at St. Mary’s for the second half of the season.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 12, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
After an eight-month battle with injury, Ghanaian midfielder Salis Abdul Samed made his long-awaited return to competitive football in Sunderland’s narrow 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Stoke City on Saturday, January 11, 2025. The 23-year-old, on loan from French Ligue 1 club RC Lens, showcased glimpses of his quality in a bittersweet debut at the Stadium of Light.
Substituted on in the 79th minute for Harrison Jones, Abdul Samed wasted no time asserting himself in midfield. With a standout 94% pass accuracy, completing 33 of 35 attempts, his composure on the ball was evident. Defensively, he chipped in with a tackle, an interception, a blocked shot, and two successful ground duels, earning admiration from the Sunderland faithful.
However, the joy of his return was dampened in extra time when a momentary lapse in concentration allowed Stoke’s Niall Ennis to capitalize and score the decisive goal. Despite the mistake, Abdul Samed’s overall performance hinted at his potential to play a key role for Sunderland as they aim for Championship promotion.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris acknowledged the young Ghanaian’s impact, expressing optimism about what Abdul Samed can bring to the team in the season’s critical second half. The fans, too, will hope that this is just the beginning of his redemption story.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 12, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, Nigeria, Soccer
West Ham United fans are starting to see glimpses of Graham Potter’s tactical influence as the new head coach looks to reshape the team. A key focus in recent games has been unlocking the potential of Ghanaian star Mohammed Kudus, who has struggled this season to replicate the brilliance he displayed last year.
In Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Aston Villa, which ended in a narrow loss, Potter experimented with Kudus in an “inside right” role. The positional tweak seemed to revitalize the playmaker, as he impressed during the first half with his pressing, ball-winning, and attacking threat.
“Mo was really dangerous,” Potter noted after the game. “He worked really well in the first half, pressing, winning balls, and carrying a threat. The team dynamics in the second half made it harder for him to shine, but he showed his quality.”
The adjustment could signal a new chapter for Kudus, particularly in the absence of Jarrod Bowen, who is currently sidelined with a foot injury. Potter even hinted at a potential role change for Bowen when he returns, suggesting Kudus might take on a more central position to the right in the long term.
The tactical shift also saw Summerville deployed as a wing-back, showcasing defensive discipline and offering balance between attack and defense. Potter’s willingness to experiment could prove pivotal as West Ham looks to find consistency this season.
Fans will now be watching closely to see how Kudus builds on this renewed opportunity and whether Potter’s vision can elevate the team’s attacking dynamics.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 12, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Key Departures Loom Amid Gunners’ Plans for Squad Reinforcements
Arsenal is reportedly preparing for a significant squad overhaul this summer, with Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey among those likely to depart as his £150,000-a-week contract approaches its June expiration. According to the Sportsblog247.com, the Gunners plan to let Partey run down his deal, freeing up resources for new signings.
The club is also open to offers for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus, both of whom were signed in 2022. These potential departures could pave the way for Arsenal to pursue their primary target, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak.
Isak, who has impressed with 15 goals and four assists this season, showcased his quality during Newcastle’s recent 2-0 win over Arsenal, scoring a clinical goal after a costly Gabriel Martinelli miss. The Swedish striker’s sharp finishing has made him a priority for Mikel Arteta’s side, but financial constraints may hinder Arsenal’s ability to secure his services without player sales.
Additionally, injuries to key wingers Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, and Raheem Sterling have highlighted Arsenal’s lack of depth on the flanks, potentially shifting their focus toward strengthening the wings instead of pursuing Isak.
As Arsenal navigates these challenging decisions, their ambitions for next season hinge on finding the right balance between departures and reinforcements to maintain their competitiveness.
