by Silas Boahene | Jun 30, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku has confirmed his upcoming permanent transfer to Leicester City this summer, as reported by Sportblog247.com. The talented youngster made the announcement at the Ghana Football Awards.
Issahaku initially joined The Foxes on loan from Portuguese club Sporting CP last summer. Following a successful season, he will now make his move permanent. During his loan spell, the Ghana international played a key role in Leicester City’s promotion back to the Premier League, contributing six goals and 13 assists.
Leicester City is set to activate the €17 million buyout clause after Issahaku played in over 60% of their games last season. Despite facing a transfer embargo due to profit and sustainability rule violations in the 2022/23 season, the club is committed to retaining the promising winger.
As part of the deal, Steadfast FC, Issahaku’s former club, will receive 50% of the transfer value once Leicester City pays the €17 million fee. Since Sporting CP acquired Issahaku in 2022 for €1.2 million, the substantial gain of €15.8 million will be split between Steadfast FC and Sporting CP, with each club receiving €7.9 million.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 30, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus has solidified his place in the nation’s football history by securing the 2024 Footballer of the Year award at the Ghana Football Awards. This victory marks his second consecutive year claiming this esteemed title.
The West Ham United star faced formidable competition from fellow Ghanaians Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City), Osman Bukari (Crvena Zvezda), and Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), but he ultimately emerged victorious.
Kudus’s 2023/24 season was outstanding. In his debut year with the Hammers, he recorded an impressive 14 goals and 6 assists across 45 appearances. His impact was also felt on the European stage, where he helped propel West Ham to a UEFA Europa League quarter-final finish, contributing an additional 5 goals.
Here is a complete list of the award winners:
- Footballer of the Year: Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United)
- Women’s Footballer of the Year: Jennifer Kankam Yeboah (ZED FC, Egypt)
- Men’s Coach of the Year: Nurudeen Amadu (FC Samartex)
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Yussif Basigi (Hasaacas Ladies/Black Princesses)
- Odartey Lamptey Future Star Award: Abdul Aziz Issah (Dreams FC)
- Goalkeeper of the Year: Kofi Baah (FC Samartex)
- Home-based Footballer of the Year (Male): Emmanuel Keyekeh (FC Samartex)
- Home-based Footballer of the Year (Female): Abdulai Mukarama (Hasaacas Ladies)
- Goal of the Year: Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United)
- Best Ghanaian Club CEO: Richard Duah Nsenkyire (Samartex)
- Male Team of the Year: FC Samartex
- Female Team of the Year: Hasaacas Ladies
- Most Vibrant Club on Social Media: Dreams FC
- Special Fan(s) of the Year: Casfordians
- Special Awards: The Black Challenge
- Thumbs Up Award: Gold Fields & MTN Ghana
- Living Legend Award: Nanasam Brew Butler & Adjoa Bayor
by Silas Boahene | Jun 29, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian winger Braydon Manu has shared his insights on the differences between playing for the Black Stars and in Germany. The former SV Darmstadt player, who was born to Ghanaian parents in Germany, switched his nationality in 2022 to represent the Black Stars.
Although he was called up for the World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa, Manu did not make an appearance in either match. Nonetheless, he feels more at home with the Black Stars due to the positive and relaxed atmosphere within the team.
“It was nice because you have really good positive energy. Everybody is laughing, you see they play football with joy. This is crazy. There is a lot of music. You can’t compare it to Germany. It is totally two different worlds, and I found out that I fit better into that world in Ghana.
“Not taking everything too seriously but when you have to be serious, you have to be,” he added.
Manu hopes to return to the national team after a two-year absence to help the Black Stars qualify for the World Cup. However, he will need to convince coach Otto Addo to bring him back into the squad.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 29, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian football legend Reverend Osei Kofi has lavished praise on Mohammed Kudus, comparing his talent to iconic figures like Lionel Messi and fellow Ghanaians Mohammed Polo and Abedi Pele.
Reflecting on his own illustrious career alongside Polo and Abedi Pele, Osei Kofi highlighted Kudus’ unique ability to take control on the field.
“Some players are naturally gifted,” Kofi told Joy Sports. “[They] take over to make things work,” mirroring his own experience under the legendary Ghanaian coach Charles Kumi Gyamfi. He places Kudus in the same league as himself, Polo, and Abedi Pele, identifying them as rare generational talents.
“Like [Lionel] Messi, when a team flops, he takes over to make things work. I was given that role by CK Gyamfi. Whenever the team flopped, I had to carry the team. There are about three of us who did that—myself, Polo, and Abedi.”
Kofi emphasized Kudus’ special skills: “Whenever Polo had the ball…he decided who to give the ball to.”
He sees this same leadership potential in Kudus, stating, “We have someone like [Mohammed] Kudus. Players like that are generational talents.”
This sentiment resonates with Kudus’ rise to prominence for both club and country, with 11 goals for the Black Stars since his debut in 2019.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 29, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian football legend Reverend Osei Kofi believes that the future success of the Black Stars lies in building the team around Mohammed Kudus. Impressed by Kudus’ recent performances for West Ham and the Black Stars, Kofi likens the young midfielder’s game-changing abilities to those of legendary players like Lionel Messi and Ghanaian icon Mohammed Polo.
Osei Kofi emphasizes that the national team’s technical staff should focus on leveraging Kudus’ strengths to maximize his impact on the field.
“Whenever Polo had the ball, the fearsome five would move, and he decided who to give the ball to,” Kofi told Joy Sports. “Such players are rare. After me, there was Polo who came. But now, we have someone like [Mohammed] Kudus. Players like that are generational talents.”
Kofi further noted, “If the technical team were good enough, they would know this. You always have to build the team around an individual.”
Mohammed Kudus, who debuted for the Black Stars in 2019, has scored 11 goals in 34 appearances for the national team.
