by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 25, 2024 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Horneland Focused on Current Squad Amid Transfer Speculations
New Saint-Étienne manager Eirik Horneland has poured cold water on rumors linking the French club to Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers, signaling that a January move is unlikely.
Facing a tough relegation battle, Saint-Étienne have struggled offensively this season, managing just 12 goals in Ligue 1—one of the lowest tallies in the league. This has sparked speculation about potential reinforcements, with the Nigerian forward Dessers among the names reportedly on their radar.
However, Horneland, who recently replaced Olivier Dall’Oglio as head coach, has made it clear that his priority is maximizing the potential of the current squad rather than diving into the transfer market. Speaking to L’Équipe via Rangers News, he outlined his philosophy:
“We want to be a proactive team that attacks quickly while staying solid defensively. I believe we can achieve this with the players we already have and the support of the fans. For now, I am focused on understanding the team and building an offensive style of play that matches the club’s expectations.”
The manager further stated, “I’m not interested in the transfer window at the moment. My priority is getting to know the players, listening to them, and working with what we have to improve performances immediately.”
Dessers, who has struggled for game time at Rangers, has fallen down the pecking order under manager Philippe Clement. With Hamza Igamane hitting form and Brazilian forward Danilo earning Clement’s trust, the Nigerian striker has seen limited opportunities, leading to speculation about a potential departure.
Despite his availability, Horneland’s remarks suggest that Saint-Étienne will likely look within to solve their goal-scoring woes, leaving Dessers’ future at Rangers uncertain as the January window approaches.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 25, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Sturm Graz Defender’s Bundesliga Dream on Hold Again
Swiss-Ghanaian defender Gregory Wüthrich will stay at Austrian club Sturm Graz after his anticipated transfer to FC Köln fell through due to medical concerns. Reports from Steirerkrone reveal that the Bundesliga side abandoned the deal after Wüthrich’s medical results flagged persistent knee issues.
FC Köln, eager to reinforce their backline following the acquisition of full-back Jusuf Gazibegovic, had set their sights on the towering 30-year-old center-back. However, the latest setback echoes a similar situation last year when a potential move to FC Augsburg collapsed for the same reason.
Despite these transfer hurdles, Wüthrich remains a key player for Sturm Graz. This season, he has already made eight appearances in the Austrian Bundesliga, showcasing his defensive prowess and leadership. With a current market value of €4 million (per Transfermarkt), the defender’s contributions continue to play a significant role in Sturm Graz’s domestic campaigns.
While his Bundesliga aspirations are on pause, Wüthrich’s focus will now turn to helping his Austrian side maintain their strong performances in the league.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 25, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian Striker Poised for Super Lig Challenge
Ghanaian international Emmanuel Boateng is on the brink of a new chapter in his football career as he prepares to join Turkish Super Lig side Gaziantep FK. The 28-year-old forward, who previously played for Levante and Rio Ave, is reportedly finalizing a one-and-a-half-year deal with the Turkish club.
Boateng, currently with Saudi Pro League side Al-Orobah, was recently spotted in Gaziantep attending the team’s 2-0 victory over Antalyaspor, fueling speculation about the imminent move. Turkish newspaper Fanatik reports that Gaziantep FK’s manager, Selçuk İnan, has long admired the striker and is excited to finally bring him on board.
As the January transfer window approaches, Boateng’s arrival is expected to bolster Gaziantep’s attacking lineup for the remainder of the 2024/25 season. Known for his pace, technical ability, and experience in European football, the Ghanaian forward is poised to make an immediate impact as the team looks to climb the league standings.
With the deal nearing completion, Gaziantep FK fans will be eager to see Boateng in action, hoping his addition can spark a successful second half of the campaign.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 25, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Soccer
The Battle for CHAN Qualification Intensifies in Uyo
The stage is set for a thrilling encounter as Nigeria’s Super Eagles B team prepares to host Ghana in the second leg of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers. After a hard-fought goalless draw in Accra, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Saturday’s decisive match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
In a bid to strengthen the squad, Coach Daniel Ogunmodede has called up five key reinforcements. Joining the camp are Shooting Stars’ forward Samuel Ayanrinde, Abia Warriors’ defender Sunday Megwo, Enugu Rangers’ midfield maestro Kazeem Ogunleye, Plateau United’s Vincent Temitope, and Kwara United’s Badmus Gbadamosi. These players bring additional depth and experience to the team as they seek a crucial win on home soil.
The team, which initially traveled with 18 players for the first-leg stalemate in Accra, resumed intense training in Uyo on Tuesday. With just days left before the encounter, the Super Eagles B team is sharpening their tactics to exploit Ghana’s weaknesses and secure progression to the tournament proper.
Saturday’s match promises to be a thrilling showdown, with home advantage giving Nigeria the edge to push for victory and keep their CHAN dreams alive.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 25, 2024 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Alex Iwobi Declares War Ahead of Fulham’s Boxing Day Clash with Chelsea
The atmosphere in West London is heating up as Alex Iwobi, Fulham’s in-form Nigerian midfielder, has boldly declared the upcoming Boxing Day clash against Chelsea as nothing short of a battlefield. With Fulham enjoying an unbeaten December, Iwobi’s rallying call signals their intent to maintain their impressive form as they visit Stamford Bridge.
The Super Eagles star has been pivotal for Fulham this season, contributing five goals and three assists in the Premier League. Speaking to Fulham’s media team, Iwobi praised Chelsea’s depth and quality but made it clear that form and reputation would mean little in the fiery derby atmosphere.
“Chelsea is a confident team with so much talent, not just in their starting eleven but even the players they can bring off the bench. It’s another derby, and when it’s a derby, form goes out the window. It’s going to be war,” he declared.
Despite Chelsea’s arsenal of talent, Iwobi highlighted Fulham’s meticulous preparation for the encounter. “We’ll analyze their strengths and weaknesses and see how we can exploit them,” he assured fans, exuding confidence in Fulham’s tactical approach under manager Marco Silva.
The clash offers Fulham a chance to not only extend their unbeaten run but also strengthen their bid for a European spot. The Cottagers, buoyed by their December momentum, are ready to face their West London rivals head-on.
With Iwobi’s fighting spirit and leadership, Fulham fans can expect a spirited display at Stamford Bridge as they aim to end the year on a high note.
