by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 13, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
As the Black Stars prepare for their final games in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, Bibiani GoldStars head coach Frimpong Manso is urging Otto Addo to give Ghana’s local players a chance to shine. With a slim chance of qualification, Manso believes this is an ideal moment to showcase homegrown talent and boost the Ghana Premier League’s profile.
Among the local players called up for the Angola and Niger matches are Razak Simpson, Isaac Afful, and Emmanuel Antwi. Manso, a former Ghana international, sees their inclusion as a potential turning point, both for these players and for the league. “The local players invited by Otto Addo must be given the chance to play against Angola and Niger,” Manso emphasized in an interview with Asempa FM.
He highlighted the Black Stars’ slim qualification odds—estimated at just 10 percent—and encouraged Addo to use these games as a platform for local talent to gain valuable international experience. “It will be good for the Ghana Premier League, motivating other players to work hard,” Manso added.
The Black Stars will head to Luanda for their November 15 match against Angola at the Estádio 11 de Novembro before returning to Accra to host Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium on November 18. These games mark both a pivotal moment in the AFCON qualifiers and an opportunity for Ghana’s local stars to make their mark on the national stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 13, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer, World Cup
The Black Stars are facing a challenging time, with their dreams of reaching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco slipping away. Former Ghana international and current Bibiani GoldStars head coach, Frimpong Manso, is calling for strong backing for Otto Addo as he prepares Ghana’s squad for an even bigger goal: the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Manso’s call comes after Ghana’s underwhelming performance in the AFCON qualifiers, where the Black Stars have only managed two points from four matches. As they prepare to face Angola’s Palancas Negras on November 15 and Niger on November 18, hopes of securing a spot at AFCON seem slim. Ghana currently sits third in Group F, behind both Angola and Sudan, putting their streak of qualifying for AFCON for over 20 years at serious risk.
With Ghana’s World Cup qualifiers set to resume in March 2025, Manso believes it’s essential to support Addo now more than ever, despite potential disappointment over AFCON. “I know people will complain if we miss out on AFCON,” Manso told Asempa FM, “but what he will need is support to do the right things and bring good players for the World Cup qualifiers.”
Currently, Ghana is in a better position for World Cup qualification, sitting second in Group I with nine points. However, the path to securing a place in the World Cup is still challenging, with matches against Chad and Madagascar awaiting them in the upcoming round.
For the Black Stars, the journey ahead is complex, but Manso’s message is clear: the road to redemption requires unity, support, and belief in Otto Addo’s vision for the World Cup.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 13, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Soccer
The Road to AFCON 2025 has taken a thrilling turn, with eight teams already booked for the tournament in Morocco. As we enter the final two matchdays, 16 places remain, and the pressure is on for teams across Africa to secure their spots. The journey has been intense, with powerhouse performances and unexpected results. Here’s a look at the qualified teams, upcoming matches, current standings, and the players leading in goals and assists.
Teams Qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations So Far:
1. Morocco (Hosts)
2. Senegal
3. Egypt
4. Algeria
5. DR Congo
6. Burkina Faso
7. Angola
8. Cameroon
With eight teams confirmed, the remaining matches will be critical in determining who completes the final 24-team roster for AFCON 2025.
Upcoming Qualifier Fixtures: Matchday 5
Wednesday Matches:
Namibia vs Cameroon – 1pm
Liberia vs Togo – 4pm
Chad vs Sierra Leone – 7pm
Thursday Matches:
Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria – 1pm
Lesotho vs Central Africa – 1pm
South Sudan vs Congo – 1pm
And more…
Friday Matches:
Botswana vs Mauritania – 1pm
Uganda vs South Africa – 1pm
And more…
Saturday Matches:
Ethiopia vs Tanzania – 4pm
Guinea vs DR Congo – 7pm
Final Group Fixtures (Matchday 6) – 18th Nov. to 19th Nov.:
Including major matches like Nigeria vs Rwanda , Ghana vs Niger , Senegal vs Burundi , and many others.
Current Standings After Matchday 4
Group A:
1. Tunisia – 7pts (+1)
2. Comoros – 6pts (+1)
3. Gambia – 5pts (0)
4. Madagascar – 2pts (-2)
Group D:
1. Nigeria – 7pts (+4)
2. Benin – 6pts (0)
3. Rwanda – 5pts (-2)
4. Libya – 1pt (-2)
Group J:
1. Cameroon – 10pts (-5)
2. Zimbabwe – 8pts (+3)
3. Kenya – 4pts (-3)
4. Namibia – 0pt (-5)
(For the full standings, see groups A through L above)
Top Performers So Far
Top Scorers:
Guirassy – 5 goals
Krasso – 3 goals
Gouiri – 3 goals
Trezeguet – 3 goals
Mane – 3 goals
Top Assisters:
Langa – 4 assists
Appollis – 3 assists
Okello – 3 assists
Ounahi – 2 assists
Hamdi – 2 assists
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 12, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Ahead of Nigeria’s crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Benin on Thursday, November 14, Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen has confirmed the arrival of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and striker Sadiq Umar to join the squad in Abidjan. Their arrival comes just in time for the national team’s first training session as they prepare for the high-stakes match at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny.
Nigeria currently leads Group D with 10 points from four matches and a draw in this fixture would be enough to secure their spot in the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. However, Benin, with six points, must win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The Super Eagles have been steadily arriving in camp, with several key players such as Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, and Victor Osimhen already present. By Tuesday afternoon, the camp saw an additional influx of players including Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi, bringing the total number of players to 21.
With the training session set for Tuesday evening, Nwabali and Sadiq Umar are expected to join before the 7pm local time session, allowing Eguavoen to begin preparations with a nearly complete squad. The coach will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2-1 loss to Benin during their last encounter in June.
The match on Thursday is expected to be a tense affair, with both teams aiming to secure crucial points for their AFCON aspirations.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 12, 2024 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar, who has endured a challenging two seasons at Real Sociedad, could be set for a move back to Spanish second division club Almeria. Umar joined Real Sociedad in 2022 for €20 million but has struggled since, with a major ACL injury sidelining him for his first season and only three goals in 36 appearances the following year. This season, Umar has made six La Liga appearances but has failed to contribute a goal or assist. With limited playing time and competition from Sheraldo Becker and Mikel Oyarzabal for a starting spot, Umar may need to leave to reignite his career. Almeria, where he previously enjoyed success with 43 goals and 19 assists in 84 appearances, are reportedly considering a move for the 27-year-old striker. However, his €6 million valuation may present a challenge for the club.
