by Silas Boahene | Jun 25, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
English Premier League and Championship clubs are reportedly interested in highly-rated Medeama SC teenager Nurudeen Abdulai.
Abdulai, 19, has been one of the standout defensive players in the Ghana Premier League over the past two seasons. He played a crucial role in Medeama SC’s historic Ghana Premier League title win in the 2022/23 season.
Interest in the versatile youngster is growing, with expectations that he will leave the Tarkwa-based club this summer.
According to transfer experts at FootballInsider247.com, Abdulai is on the radar of several Premier League and Championship clubs during the ongoing summer transfer window.
Following a stellar 2022/23 season, Abdulai received his debut call-up to the Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Madagascar and Comoros in November last year.
Former Ghana coach Chris Hughton included him in the provisional squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, but he missed out on the final squad due to a shoulder injury.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 25, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Asante Kotoko is targeting Togolese international Youssifou Atte for a potential signing. Atte is currently a free agent following his departure from Congolese giants TP Mazembe.
Kotoko’s management is in negotiations with Atte’s manager to secure his signature after losing their star striker, Uganda’s Steven Mukwala, on a free transfer.
Atte began his career with Ghana’s West African Football Academy (WAFA) and was promoted to the senior team in December 2017.
He made his debut on March 17, 2018, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw against Asante Kotoko.
During his debut season, he played 14 league matches before the league was canceled due to the Anas Number 12 Exposé controversies.
In the 2019 GFA Normalization Competition, he made 12 appearances.
Atte remained a key player for WAFA during the truncated 2019-20 season, featuring in all 15 league matches before the league was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana.
His consistent performances earned him his first call-up to the Togo national team by Claude Le Roy in March 2020.
He made his senior debut on March 29, 2021, in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 25, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Former Athletic Bilbao star Julen Guerrero has urged Nico Williams to remain at the club despite significant interest from several top European teams.
Williams, whose contract with Bilbao runs until June 2027 and includes a €58 million release clause, has garnered attention for his impressive performances with Spain at the ongoing European Championships in Germany.
Barcelona has expressed keen interest, along with Premier League clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
PSG is also monitoring the situation following the departure of their star player Kylian Mbappe, but Guerrero believes the Spanish-Ghanaian winger should stay at Bilbao.
Williams was instrumental last season as Athletic won the Copa del Rey for the first time in 40 years. Guerrero believes the club can achieve great things if Williams remains.
“I want him to stay at Athletic,” Guerrero said. “I hope they have the best possible squad and that they always fight for great challenges. This year, they won the cup and entered Europe. These are undoubtedly ideal conditions for him and his football to continue developing in Bilbao.”
Guerrero added, “It’s his decision. He will decide based on who calls him and the money offered. Whatever he decides must be completely respected. I hope he chooses to stay at Athletic, progressing, seeking challenges, and fulfilling dreams.”
The 21-year-old has been with Athletic Bilbao since he was 17, making his first-team debut in 2021. With the support of his older brother Inaki, he has become an important player for both club and country.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 25, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA
Ghanaian forward Patrick Agyemang scored a decisive second-half brace, leading Charlotte FC to a victory over the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.
The US-born Ghanaian broke the deadlock with a spectacular flying header at the 56-minute mark and doubled the lead seven minutes later with an impressive solo effort.
Following a goalless first half, the 23-year-old headed home from a Jere Uronen cross 11 minutes into the second half.
Just seven minutes later, he received a long pass from Liel Abada, executed a quick stepover, and fired a shot from the edge of the box past the Philadelphia goalkeeper.
Agyemang was substituted with 18 minutes remaining by Iuri Tavares, having secured the Man of the Match title for his outstanding performance.
His second goal has been nominated for Goal of the Week.
The former RI Rams player has now tallied five goals and two assists in 19 MLS matches this season, helping Charlotte climb to fourth in the Eastern Conference table.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 24, 2024 | Africa, International, Nigeria, Soccer, USA
Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, have been drawn into Group A of the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals, where they will face host nation Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and New Zealand.
The draw ceremony took place on Saturday night at the Fray Anton de Montesinos Monument in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. Africa’s other representatives, Kenya and Zambia, were placed into Groups C and D respectively. Kenya will compete against Korea DPR, Mexico, and England, while Zambia will face Japan, Poland, and Brazil.
Reigning world champions Spain head Group B, joined by the USA, Korea Republic, and Colombia.
The Flamingos showed remarkable form in the qualifiers, defeating the Central African Republic (CAR) 12-0 over two legs, thrashing Burkina Faso 7-1, and overcoming Liberia 6-1 to secure their World Cup spot.
This 8th edition of the tournament marks the debut of both the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. Nigeria is favored to advance, with New Zealand being their primary competition, though the Dominican Republic may leverage home advantage.
Despite never having won the competition, Flamingos coach Bankole Olowookere aims to lead Nigeria to their first title. The tournament will be held from October 16 to November 3, with all 32 matches played in Santo Domingo and Santiago de los Caballeros.
Group A: Dominican Republic, Ecuador, New Zealand, Nigeria Group B: Spain, USA, Korea Republic, Colombia Group C: Korea DPR, Mexico, Kenya, England Group D: Japan, Poland, Brazil, Zambia
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