by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 12, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Ghanaian defender Gideon Mensah remains confident despite the withdrawal of eight key Black Stars players ahead of their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Ghana, who will face Angola and Niger, has seen several prominent players ruled out due to injuries or personal reasons. Joseph Paintsil, Antoine Semenyo, Ibrahim Osman, Tariq Lamptey, Jerome Opoku, and Inaki Williams are among those unavailable for these crucial games.
In an interview on Monday, Mensah acknowledged the withdrawals as a “big loss” but voiced optimism about the remaining squad. “Every player on the national team is crucial,” Mensah said. “We have key players we rely on, but we also have those ready to step up when needed. I’m not really scared; if one player isn’t available, someone else will be ready to fill in.”
Coach Otto Addo has responded by calling up replacements, including Osman Bukari from Austin FC, Terry Yegbe from IF Elfsborg, Kingsley Schindler, Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorffer, Forson Amankwah, and Ebenezer Annan. Ghana is set to play Angola in Luanda on November 15, followed by a home match against Niger at Accra Sports Stadium on November 18, 2024.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 12, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer
With the deadline just a day away for those interested in contesting the CAF presidency, Dr. Patrice Motsepe remains the only candidate who has formally picked up nomination forms and submitted his application. Motsepe, a South African business mogul and current CAF President, is seeking re-election for another term at the helm of African football’s governing body. As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on potential candidates to see if any last-minute challengers will emerge. The CAF presidential election, a highly anticipated event in African football, will determine the leadership and strategic direction of CAF for the upcoming term.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 12, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Soccer
After a challenging eight-game goal drought, Nigerian striker Cyriel Kolawole Dessers has returned to form with Rangers, netting his tenth goal of the season in a hard-fought match against Hearts. The 29-year-old Super Eagles forward, who has faced criticism from fans questioning his place in the squad, remains determined to keep proving his worth on the field.
Dessers, who set an impressive record last season with over 20 goal involvements (21 goals and nine assists in 54 games), has continued his steady form under Rangers’ manager Philippe Clement. Speaking to Premier Sports after his latest goal helped secure three points for the team, Dessers expressed his desire for more.
“It’s a valuable three points,” Dessers said, “We struggled a little bit in the second half. It’s always difficult after a European away game, but we got the three points and that’s the most important thing.”
Despite fatigue from a recent European match and the subsequent late-night travel, Dessers managed to score the game-winning goal, showcasing his resilience and skill. Reflecting on his achievement of reaching double digits this season, he added, “It’s always nice to score at Ibrox, just to see the ball in the net. Ten goals, like you say, it’s a nice number, I’m happy to get there already now, but I want more.”
Dessers’ impressive stats so far—ten goals and three assists in just 19 games this season—highlight his consistent impact, though his contributions for the Super Eagles remain limited since his last national team appearance in March.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 12, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
As Nigeria’s Super Eagles prepare for a decisive AFCON 2025 qualifying match against Benin Republic, familiar faces like Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi have touched down in Abidjan, joining an already growing camp. Former Super Eagles coach and current Benin head coach, Gernot Rohr, has pointed out a possible Achilles’ heel in the Nigerian defense, hinting that Benin could capitalize on it to secure a vital win.
Rohr, who has deep insights into Nigerian football, expressed optimism that Benin can challenge the Super Eagles in Thursday’s high-stakes game at Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium. “We have the return of Lenny Piringuel, who, with his new club Rouen, is starting to find his mark,” Rohr stated. “His liveliness interests us, especially against a Nigerian team that might have small issues in defense.”
With Benin currently in second place in Group D, six points from four matches, they have a narrow lead over Rwanda, who trail with five points and will face Libya on the same day. For Nigeria, a single point from their remaining two matches would secure their AFCON qualification. However, the Cheetahs of Benin are determined to complicate the Super Eagles’ path.
Nigeria’s caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen, will be without injured West Brom defender Semi Ajayi, a loss that potentially weakens the defense. Yet Eguavoen has called up Gabriel Osho from Auxerre and Victor Collins from Nasarawa United, both of whom will join forces with established defenders like William Troost-Ekong and Fulham’s Calvin Bassey.
The camp atmosphere is intensifying as eleven players, including Iheanacho, Ndidi, Udinese’s Maduka Okoye, Gabriel Osho, Frank Onyeka, and Raphael Onyedika, are now in Abidjan, with further reinforcements such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi expected soon.
Though Nigeria remains in a strong position for qualification, Rohr’s Benin side appears ready to challenge them every step of the way.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 12, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Victor Osimhen set the stage early in Galatasaray’s intense 3-2 win over Samsunspor with a phenomenal header that had fans and analysts talking. Just three minutes in at RAMS Park, Galatasaray launched an attack orchestrated by Gabriel Sara, Dries Mertens, and Lucas Torreira. Mertens slipped the ball forward to Torreira, who skillfully chipped it into the penalty area, perfectly positioned for Osimhen. Rising above the defenders, Osimhen met the cross with a header that rocketed into the net at an astonishing speed of 71 kilometers per hour, a feat highlighted by beIN SPORTS via Kontra spor. The Napoli loanee became unstoppable in the air, ultimately notching his sixth goal of the Süper Lig season.
Throughout the match, Osimhen kept Samsunspor’s defense under pressure with nine shots, setting a season record for the most attempts by a player in a single Süper Lig match. He capped off his impressive performance with a second header, earning a brace and moving just two goals shy of the league’s top scorer, Besiktas’ Ciro Immobile.
Now back in the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda, Osimhen has once again proven his importance on both the club and international stage.
