by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 23, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
Sportsblog247.com reporter Atanga Emmanuel presents a detailed wrap-up of how Ghanaian players fared across Europe and beyond over the weekend, with goals, assists and crucial performances lighting up multiple leagues.
🇫🇷 France
In Ligue II, Augustine Boakye found the net for AS Saint-Étienne in their 2-1 victory over Laval. Teammate Ebenezer Annan also featured.
In Ligue 1, Terry Yegbe played for FC Metz in their defeat to Paris Saint-Germain F.C..
Ghanaian duo Elisha Owusu and Gideon Mensah were involved for AJ Auxerre, while Kojo Peprah Oppong impressed for OGC Nice in their draw with Lorient.
🏴 England
In the Premier League, Antoine Semenyo played 87 minutes for Manchester City F.C. in a 2-1 win over Newcastle United F.C..
In the Championship, Brandon Thomas-Asante featured for Coventry City F.C., while Ibrahim Osman saw action for Birmingham City F.C..
🇪🇸 Spain
Iñaki Williams starred for Athletic Bilbao, while Thomas Partey featured for Villarreal CF. Joseph Aidoo completed the full 90 minutes for RC Celta de Vigo in their clean-sheet victory.
🇮🇹 Italy
Caleb Ekuban was on target for Genoa CFC in their emphatic win over Torino F.C., boosting his momentum ahead of international assignments.
Ibrahim Sulemana went the full distance for Cagliari Calcio, while Kamaldeen Sulemana featured for Atalanta BC.
🇩🇪 Germany
Derrick Köhn helped 1. FC Union Berlin secure victory, while Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer impressed for Hamburger SV. In Bundesliga II, Aaron Opoku found the net despite his side’s defeat.
🇦🇹 Austria
Daniel Nunoo scored for SK Rapid Wien, while Emmanuel Baidoo delivered a strong performance for FC Red Bull Salzburg.
🇧🇪 Belgium
Mohammed Fuseini impressed for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, while Lawrence Agyekum featured for Cercle Brugge K.S.V..
🇺🇸 USA (MLS)
In Major League Soccer, Manu Duah completed 90 minutes for San Diego FC in a dominant win. Ronald Donkor also featured for New York Red Bulls.
Across Europe and beyond, Ghanaian players delivered impactful performances — from crucial goals to full-match displays. With World Cup qualifiers and major tournaments on the horizon, such consistent club form offers a major boost for the Ghana national football team.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 23, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Soccer
Former Arsenal and Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has stirred fresh debate in the English Premier League title race after tipping Manchester City F.C. to lift the trophy ahead of Arsenal F.C..
The ex-Togo international shared his view in a Facebook post highlighted by journalist Gary Al-Smith on February 22, 2026. After assessing the remaining fixtures for both sides, Adebayor expressed confidence that Pep Guardiola’s men will once again emerge champions, pointing to their experience and mentality during the decisive final stretch of the season.
Arsenal still have ten matches to navigate before the campaign concludes. Their schedule includes clashes against Chelsea F.C. (home), Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. (away), Everton F.C. (home), AFC Bournemouth (home), Manchester City (away), Newcastle United F.C. (home), Fulham F.C. (home), West Ham United F.C. (away), Burnley F.C. (home), and Crystal Palace F.C. (away). While several of these fixtures appear manageable on paper, the away encounter at the Etihad could prove pivotal in deciding the title.
Manchester City, under Guardiola, have built a reputation for relentless finishes, often stringing together long winning runs in the closing months. That late-season consistency has helped them overturn deficits in previous campaigns, and Adebayor believes history could repeat itself.
Despite the prediction, Arsenal supporters remain hopeful. The squad has demonstrated resilience, improved depth, and greater composure compared to previous seasons. Many believe the team has matured enough to handle the pressure of a tight title race.
With the season entering its decisive phase, every point carries enormous weight. Adebayor’s forecast has only intensified the spotlight on both clubs, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the Premier League campaign.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 23, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Sunday, February 22, 2026 — Antoine Semenyo is enjoying a remarkable 2025/26 campaign, underlining his status as one of Ghana’s most dependable goal scorers in Europe. The dynamic forward has already registered 15 goals across league and cup competitions, reflecting both his consistency and clinical edge in front of goal.
Semenyo began the season with AFC Bournemouth, where he scored 10 goals in 21 appearances before securing a high-profile move to Manchester City in January 2026. Since arriving at the Etihad, he has wasted no time making his mark, netting five times in just ten matches.
His City debut was particularly memorable, as he found the back of the net in a resounding 10-1 FA Cup victory over Exeter City F.C.. The immediate impact has strengthened his case as a valuable attacking option in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
During his time at Bournemouth, Semenyo showed his ability to rise to the occasion against top opposition. He scored against heavyweight sides such as Liverpool F.C., Manchester United F.C., and Arsenal F.C., while also delivering crucial goals against competitive teams including Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., Leeds United F.C., Fulham F.C., Burnley F.C., and Brentford F.C.. His strike against Arsenal proved to be his final goal for Bournemouth before completing his switch to Manchester City.
In total, Semenyo has scored against 12 different teams this season — a clear testament to his versatility and sustained form. His impressive performances in England have not only elevated his club career but also reinforced his importance to the Ghana national football team as the Black Stars prepare for upcoming international assignments.
Blessed with pace, intelligent movement, and sharp finishing, Antoine Semenyo is fast emerging as one of Africa’s most exciting forwards. Supporters in Ghana and beyond will be hoping his goal-scoring momentum continues deep into the season.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 23, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Former Gombe State FA chairman, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, has cautioned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against renewing the contract of Eric Chelle under improved financial terms, insisting that such a move could backfire on Nigerian football.
Chelle, who currently earns a reported $50,000 per month as head coach of the Nigeria national football team, has less than a year remaining on his deal. However, recent reports claim the coach has tabled 19 conditions for a contract extension — including a significant salary increase to $130,000 monthly.
Reacting to the reports in an interview with The Guardian Nigeria, Gara-Gombe questioned both the timing and the justification for such demands. According to him, the Super Eagles platform has elevated Chelle’s profile internationally, not the other way around.
“I don’t think it is appropriate,” Gara-Gombe reportedly said. “He came to Nigeria to build his CV. The Super Eagles are bigger than him. Now, after gaining global exposure, he wants to put pressure on us.”
The outspoken football administrator further argued that with the quality of players available to Nigeria, the federation should not feel compelled to meet what he described as excessive financial demands. He even dismissed rumored links between Chelle and French giants Olympique de Marseille as speculative narratives.
Gara-Gombe maintained that if Chelle chooses to walk away, the NFF should allow him to leave, adding that he has not seen sufficient impact from the coach to justify a salary more than doubling his current earnings.
“If we keep him at that amount, Nigeria will regret it,” he warned.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 22, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Soccer
African football could soon witness another cross-border coaching move as reports suggest that Ghanaian tactician James Kwesi Appiah is being targeted for a senior national team role.
According to circulating media reports, the Burkina Faso Football Federation has opened discussions aimed at appointing the former Black Stars head coach to lead the Stallions. The federation is reportedly searching for an experienced manager capable of restoring confidence, sharpening tactical discipline, and steering the team back to strong continental relevance.
The development was highlighted in a February 21, 2026 post by Max 89.7 FM, which indicated that official contact had been made with Appiah regarding the potential appointment. The news has since sparked debate among football fans across Ghana and West Africa, with many viewing the move as further proof of his enduring continental reputation.
Appiah’s coaching résumé speaks for itself.
In 2012, he became one of the few indigenous Ghanaian coaches to guide the Black Stars to a FIFA World Cup, leading the team to the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
Beyond his achievements with Ghana, he also enjoyed success in Sudan, winning domestic league titles and strengthening his credentials on the African stage.
For Burkina Faso, turning to Appiah reflects a broader shift within African football — a growing trust in homegrown coaches who understand the continent’s competitive structures, player mentality, and administrative dynamics. His calm leadership, strong player management, and tactical awareness in African competitions make him an attractive candidate.
Reactions in Ghana have been mixed. While many supporters feel proud to see a local coach drawing international interest, others believe his experience could still play a crucial role in developing Ghana’s technical structures and mentoring emerging coaches.
If negotiations are finalized, Appiah would immediately face the task of guiding Burkina Faso toward AFCON qualification and strengthening their World Cup qualifying ambitions. The Stallions, runners-up at AFCON 2013, are eager to return to that competitive height.
Whether or not the deal materializes, one thing remains clear: Ghana continues to export not only talented players but also respected coaching minds across Africa — and James Kwesi Appiah remains firmly among the continent’s most valued football tacticians.
