by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 9, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian forward Inaki Williams has voiced his disappointment over the officiating in Athletic Bilbao’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Barcelona, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The match ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Rojiblancos, with Barcelona advancing to the final.
Williams thought he had halved the deficit in the 86th minute, but his goal was disallowed following a VAR review. Gavi had earlier opened the scoring in the 17th minute, while young star Lamine Yamal sealed the victory for the Catalan side in the second half.
Speaking in a post-match interview, Williams lamented what he perceived as biased officiating. “It felt like we were playing away from home,” he remarked. “I find it strange that these types of plays are ruled out. I don’t think it’s fair. It seems like the rules are not the same for everyone.”
The result leaves Athletic Bilbao to refocus on their La Liga campaign, where Williams has been pivotal. Before the winter break, the Black Stars striker had scored five goals and provided four assists in 18 league appearances, helping the Basque side secure a spot in the top four.
Barcelona now awaits the winner of the second semi-final between Real Madrid and Real Mallorca in the Super Cup final.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 9, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
The Black Stars of Ghana find themselves at a critical juncture following their dismal failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. After six games in the qualifiers, the team ended their campaign with no wins—three draws and three losses—finishing at the bottom of Group F with just three points.
This poor performance has drawn widespread criticism from fans and pundits alike, leaving the senior national team under intense scrutiny. However, Henry Asante Twum, the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), believes that a single positive result could reignite the team’s fortunes.
Speaking to Kumasi-based Akoma FM, Asante Twum emphasized the need for lessons to be learned from the disappointing campaign. “It is not the goal of anyone at the FA, whether at the leadership or staff level, to continue failing at the national team level, which is where we are now,” he said.
He remained optimistic about the team’s ability to turn things around. “There is always an opportunity to correct your mistakes. Whether Otto Addo stays or someone else takes over, the lessons from our recent performances must guide the future. Football is unpredictable—it only takes one excellent result to change everything, and that’s what we are focusing on.”
The Black Stars will have an opportunity to redeem themselves in March when they face Chad and Madagascar in the Matchday 5 and 6 games of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. A strong performance in these matches could mark the beginning of a much-needed resurgence for Ghanaian football.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 9, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
In 1982, Ghana’s Black Stars etched their name in football history by claiming their fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. The thrilling final, held in Libya, saw the host nation go head-to-head with Ghana in a dramatic match that ended 1-1 in regulation time.
Ghana’s George Alhassan, a legend of Accra Great Olympics, opened the scoring in the 35th minute. However, Libya’s Ali Al-Beshari equalized in the 70th minute, setting the stage for a tense penalty shootout. Ghana ultimately triumphed 7-6, silencing the partisan Libyan crowd.
But the victory celebrations soon turned sour. According to Black Stars goalkeeper Owusu Mensah, the jubilant team was preparing to receive their medals and the trophy when chaos erupted. Angered by the loss, some Libyan fans threatened to attack the Ghanaian players, forcing them to leave the stadium in haste.
“Normally, the medals and trophy are presented at the stadium,” Owusu Mensah shared on the Ernest Bruce Smith Show. “But we were attacked and had to run away. This has never happened before.”
Instead of a grand presentation on the podium, the Black Stars were handed their well-deserved medals and trophy later at their hotel. For players like George Alhassan, Opoku Nti, and Haruna Yusif, the moment was bittersweet—an iconic triumph overshadowed by the hostile aftermath.
The 1982 AFCON final remains a poignant reminder of how the passion of football can ignite both joyous celebrations and unexpected chaos.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 8, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has publicly denounced the appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as the head coach of the Super Eagles, urging the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to reverse the decision.
In a statement released on January 8, 2025, NANS outlined five major reasons for their opposition, emphasizing concerns over Chelle’s track record and suitability for the prestigious role.
1. Lack of Proven Success
NANS criticized Chelle’s tenure as Mali’s national team coach, highlighting his failure to qualify the team for the FIFA World Cup and his inability to secure an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. The students questioned why the NFF would hire a coach with such an underwhelming record.
2. Limited Coaching Pedigree
The students’ body argued that Chelle’s coaching background does not match the high standards required to lead the Super Eagles. They emphasized that there are far more qualified coaches, both locally and internationally, who could have been considered for the role.
3. Modest Playing Career
Chelle’s playing career also came under scrutiny. NANS noted that the coach only featured for lower-tier French clubs like Martigues, Valenciennes, and Niort, raising doubts about his ability to inspire and lead a team as ambitious as the Super Eagles.
4. Disappointing 2024 AFCON Performance
Chelle’s tactical capabilities were called into question after Mali’s poor showing at the 2024 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. NANS expressed confusion over the NFF’s decision to appoint a coach who had struggled in one of Africa’s premier tournaments.
5. Call for a Local Coach
NANS concluded by advocating for the appointment of a Nigerian coach, arguing that such a move would benefit the development of Nigerian football and align with the national interest. They also suggested the NFF explore more credible foreign options if a local coach is not considered.
NANS stated:
“The NFF must prioritize the future of Nigerian football. The appointment of Éric Chelle does not reflect the aspirations of millions of Nigerians who want to see the Super Eagles reclaim their position as a dominant force in African and global football.”
The students’ association called on the NFF to reconsider its decision and select a coach capable of delivering success on the international stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 8, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Super Eagles defender Zaidu Sanusi marked his long-awaited return to top-flight football with an appearance for FC Porto in their League Cup semi-final clash against Sporting CP, 325 days after suffering a devastating ACL injury.
Sanusi’s nightmare began in February 2024, when he was forced off in the 32nd minute during a Primeira Liga match against Estrela Amadora. Subsequent scans confirmed an anterior cruciate ligament injury, sidelining him for the rest of the season and delaying his return to competitive football until October 2024.
Despite recovering physically, Sanusi struggled to regain match fitness and spent the latter part of last year with Porto’s B team. This season, he has been included in Porto’s Europa League matchday squads twice but did not make it onto the pitch.
Tuesday night finally brought relief for the 27-year-old Nigerian. He came off the bench in the 61st minute of Porto’s League Cup semi-final against Sporting CP, four minutes after Viktor Gyökeres scored the game’s only goal.
Though Porto fell 1-0, Sanusi’s return was a personal triumph. He registered 27 touches, completed a dribble, and made one key pass, even creating a big chance that went unconverted. His confident display signaled a step toward reclaiming his spot in Porto’s starting XI.
With a contract at Porto running until 2027, Sanusi’s immediate focus will be on impressing head coach Vitor Bruno to secure more playing time. Internationally, he will also aim to earn a recall to the Super Eagles. The left-back last represented Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where he played a key role in the team’s runner-up finish.
For now, Sanusi’s return to action is a significant milestone, and he will hope this marks the beginning of a successful comeback.
