Sports News – Adomonline.com

PSG withstand stirring Villa comeback to make semis

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 21:43:54 +0000

Aston Villa scored three unanswered goals and came agonisingly close to a famous comeback, but a 3-2 win at Villa Park was not enough as they fell 4-5 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain, who progressed to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.

The Villans looked dead and buried after twice getting caught on the break in the opening half-hour to trail by four goals in the tie, but roared back, first through Youri Tielemans’ deflected goal before the break.

John McGinn – via another deflection – and then Ezri Konsa, following inspired Marcus Rashford wing-play, scored in two crazy second-half minutes to send Villa Park wild and seriously rattle PSG.

The hosts had chances to level it, with Konsa missing a header from close range and Marco Asensio – on loan from PSG – forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into an excellent save. PSG also squandered chances late on as the game opened up, before a goal-bound Ian Maatsen volley was dramatically blocked in the final minute of added time.

Ultimately, however, it was two sloppy goals, brilliantly taken by PSG full-backs Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi in the opening 30 minutes, which truly cost Villa a chance of advancing or at least taking the tie to extra-time.

PSG will play the winners of the tie between Arsenal and Real Madrid in the last four, having shown both defensive fragility and astonishing attacking riches over the course of this quarter-final.

Barca survive Guirassy hat-trick as Dortmund fall short despite stunning fightback

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 21:40:40 +0000

Barcelona are through to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, but not after surviving an almighty scare away at Borussia Dortmund, slipping to a 3-1 defeat but progressing 5-3 on aggregate.

The Spanish visitors traveled to Germany with the plan of staying on the front foot and looking for goals to seal the tie, but their high-line and aggressive approach was anticipated by Dortmund, who created a host of chances on the night as they threw everything at pulling off the unlikeliest of comebacks from 4-0 down.

The impressive Serhou Guirassy was the main man on the night, scoring a hat-trick for a rampant Dortmund and opening the scoring with a Panenka penalty in the 11th minute, having already failed to convert two excellent early chances.

Guirassy added two more in the second half, both from close range, while Dortmund also had two further goals ruled out for offside, as the hosts racked up 18 legitimate attempts on goal, 11 of which were on target.

But Barcelona’s attacking approach meant they always had threat too, and one of their many attacks saw a low cross deflect off Ramy Bensebaini for an own goal that sucked much of the life out of the tie.

Guirassy’s third did set up a potentially nervy finale, but it wasn’t to be and it is Barcelona who progress to the final four, where they will play either Internazionale or Bayern Munich for a place in the final.

Arsenal second leg ‘a night made for Real Madrid’ – Bellingham

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:26:53 +0000

Jude Bellingham believes the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal on Wednesday is “a night made for Real Madrid”.

The reigning European champions are aiming to overturn a 3-0 deficit from last week’s first leg in which they were well beaten at Emirates Stadium.

But Madrid midfielder Bellingham is confident his side can turn the tie around at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium (20:00 BST) and add another chapter to the club’s illustrious European history.

“I’ve heard it a million times since last week, I’ve seen a million videos – it’s really motivating stuff,” the England international told a media conference on Tuesday.

“It’s a night that’s made for Real Madrid.

“A night that would go down in history but also something that people are familiar with around this part of this world. Hopefully we can add another special night.”

Real Madrid have lost by three or more goals in the first leg of a European knockout tie on five previous occasions.

The only time they came from behind to progress was in the 1975-76 European Cup, when they recovered from a 4-1 defeat by Derby County in the last 16 to win 5-1 at home and go through 6-5 on aggregate.

They have never achieved a comeback of this scale in the Champions League era – but Bellingham believes they can rise to the challenge at home.

“There’s not a lot you can do for Real Madrid in the Champions League that hasn’t already been done,” the 21-year-old said.

“Tomorrow is an opportunity for us to do something for the first time, so that’s really important to us.”

Bellingham’s England team-mate Declan Rice was the Arsenal hero last Tuesday, scoring two of Arsenal’s goals with brilliant free-kicks.

Rice had never scored a free-kick in a professional match, and Bellingham said he was taken aback.

“The free-kicks were surprising,” he said. “I knew Declan could take set-pieces well, corners and stuff, but I’d never seen him do that. Fair play to him.”

Injured Zirkzee could miss rest of Man Utd’s season

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:17:39 +0000

Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee will miss several weeks with a hamstring injury that could rule him out for the rest of the season.

The Netherlands international, 23, limped off in the second half of Sunday’s defeat at Newcastle and has been undergoing tests to determine the extent of the injury.

Head coach Ruben Amorim will address the issue when he speaks on Wednesday before the crucial Europa League match against Lyon at Old Trafford.

But multiple sources have indicated to BBC Sport there is some doubt over whether Zirkzee can feature again this season owing to the severity of the injury.

The news arrives as a blow to Amorim before Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon, with the tie evenly-poised at 2-2.

Zirkzee, who has scored seven goals for United since his arrival from Bologna in the summer, started at Newcastle, having scored in the first-leg draw at Lyon.

United have six Premier League games left, their final one against Aston Villa on 25 May.

If United reach the Europa League final, they will play in Bilbao, Spain, on 21 May.

Annor Walker urges referees to change attitude

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 15:29:01 +0000

Technical Director of Vision FC, Annor Walker, has urged Ghanaian referees to improve their performance to help raise the standard of football in the country.

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Sports Nite, the former Great Olympics head coach expressed frustration over the persistent impact of poor officiating on match outcomes.

Walker lamented the inconsistency and questionable decisions by some match officials, which he believes continue to undermine the integrity and credibility of the local league.

“Our referees — some of the things they do don’t help the game. If they can change their conduct small, it will help,” he said.

“Sometimes, as a coach, you prepare your team and you know very well that this opponent can’t beat you, but the referees make decisions that turn the result against you. There’s nothing you can do,” he added.

The Ghana Premier League has long faced criticism over the quality of officiating, an issue many believe continues to erode public confidence in the competition.

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GFA hands over pickups from FIFA Forward Program to RFAs

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 15:28:24 +0000

Eight Regional Football Associations (RFAs) today received Nissan Navarra pickups as part of the FIFA Forward programme, an initiative aimed at strengthening football development across the country.

The beneficiary regions included: Brong Ahafo Regional FA, Upper West Regional FA, Central Regional FA, Western Regional FA, Eastern Regional FA, Upper East Regional FA, Volta Regional FA, Ashanti Regional FA.

These vehicles, provided under FIFA’s flagship development project, are intended to support the day-to-day administrative and operational activities of the RFAs.

The move is part of GFA’s broader vision to decentralise football development and empower regional bodies with the tools they need to function effectively.

The Greater Accra Regional FA and Northern Regional FA are also slated to receive their vehicles as part of a subsequent FIFA Forward program.

President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, who has been championing infrastructural and logistical upgrades across all levels of Ghana football, expressed confidence that the vehicles would boost efficiency and accessibility in the regions.

This development underscores the GFA’s commitment to maximising the benefits of international support programs like FIFA Forward to promote grassroots football and ensure that all corners of the country are equipped to contribute meaningfully to the national football agenda.

The President was joined by the Executive Council and the Acting Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Mr. Abraham Amaliba.

Kudus reveals ‘most fulfilling’ moment in his career

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:28:52 +0000

West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus has described playing in front of his family at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as one of the most fulfilling moments of his football career.

In an interview with NBC Sports, the Ghanaian international shared the emotional significance of having his loved ones witness him compete on football’s biggest stage.

“It was actually having my family there. From playing in Nima to having my family come to support me, and actually having them in Qatar, in the stands, was a massive feeling for me,” Kudus said.

The 23-year-old attacker delivered a standout performance in Qatar, notably scoring twice in Ghana’s thrilling 3-2 victory over South Korea.

Although the Black Stars failed to progress beyond the group stage, Kudus described the experience as deeply rewarding.

“Most importantly, scoring and performing well, even though we didn’t go as far as I expected, was still a fulfilling moment.

“Having my family there with me to witness it on the pitch made it even more special,” he added.

Kudus is expected to play a key role in Ghana’s campaign for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

The Black Stars are in a strong position following back-to-back victories over Chad and Madagascar during the March international break.

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Kudus says representing Black Stars is a privilege and responsibility

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:05:02 +0000

West Ham United forward, Mohammed Kudus, has expressed immense pride in representing Ghana on the international stage, describing it as a great honour to wear the Black Stars jersey.

Since making his debut in 2019, Kudus has become a key figure for Ghana’s national team, scoring 12 goals in 42 appearances for the four-time African champions.

In an interview with NBC Sports, the 23-year-old midfielder reflected on the deep sense of meaning he attaches to playing for his country, calling it both a privilege and a responsibility.

“It’s a huge privilege to represent our country of [nearly] 40 million people as one of the players for the Black Stars. It means so much to me,” Kudus said.

He also recalled how Ghanaian football legends shaped his dreams as a child and continue to inspire him today.

“Growing up, I watched most of the legends playing for the team, and they served as motivation for me. Now, I’m in that position, so I see it as a responsibility to do things right, set an example, and be a good role model for the kids looking up to me.

“I want to show them that it’s possible to achieve even greater things and do better than what I’m doing right now,” he added.

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Ogum confident ahead of Kotoko’s clash with Accra Lions

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:03:51 +0000

Asante Kotoko head coach, Prosper Narteh Ogum, has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness ahead of their midweek clash with Accra Lions.

The Porcupine Warriors will travel to the capital to face Accra Lions in a rescheduled Ghana Premier League Matchday 22 fixture on Wednesday, April 16, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

After a goalless draw with Heart of Lions and a 1-1 stalemate against Bechem United at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kotoko will be aiming to return to winning ways.

Speaking to the club’s media team, Coach Ogum emphasized that despite the tight schedule, his squad is well-prepared.

“We are very prepared after our last game. We have had our recovery session, though there is still an element of fatigue due to the quick turnaround. But we have to be ready for Wednesday’s game,” he said.

Ogum also acknowledged Accra Lions’ threat, noting their motivation to avoid relegation.

“We are ready tactically. Accra Lions are a good side, and although they are struggling on the league table, they will be highly motivated to secure a win and move up,” Ogum added.

He predicted a closely contested match, with both teams having high stakes.

“While they are fighting relegation, we are competing for the league title. It’s going to be a close and interesting game,” Ogum said.

Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 GMT at the Accra Sports Stadium.

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Kamaldeen Sulemana vows Black Stars will restore national pride

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 11:44:26 +0000

Ghana international Kamaldeen Sulemana has vowed that the current generation of Black Stars players is determined to create lasting memories for Ghanaians, despite recent disappointments in major tournaments.

The senior national team has faced struggles in recent years, exiting at the group stage in their last three major competitions — the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This was compounded by their failure to qualify for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to be hosted in Morocco later this year.

However, Sulemana remains optimistic, believing the team can draw inspiration from past successes and chart a new path forward.

“In Ghana, football means everything, there is no sport like football. We eat and drink football, and everything is football. So when we do play for the national team, we always want to fight and do our best for our country,” he told Showmax.

He also referenced the golden era of the Black Stars, recalling the achievements of legends like Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan, especially their performances at the 2010 World Cup.

“We have seen the likes of Essien and Asamoah Gyan achieve great things for Ghana on the biggest stage at the 2010 World Cup, and that is still in our brains, and we want to be able to recreate that.”

Sulemana expressed the desire to build on the memories of past generations, saying, “There are many memories that are engrained into our brains thanks to the past generation. Now it’s our time to give the older generation and new generation great memories so that they have something to live and cheer for.”

After a challenging 2024, the Black Stars have begun 2025 with renewed hope, securing back-to-back wins against Chad and Madagascar in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

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Michael Owen praises Antoine Semenyo after crucial goal for Bournemouth

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 11:18:09 +0000

Liverpool and Real Madrid legend Michael Owen has praised Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo, describing him as a “top talent” after his decisive goal secured AFC Bournemouth a vital 1-0 Premier League win over Fulham on Monday.

Semenyo’s goal ended Bournemouth’s six-game winless streak and proved to be the match-winner at the Vitality Stadium.

Speaking after the match, Owen expressed his admiration for the 24-year-old, saying, “I love him. If Mohamed Salah hadn’t extended his contract with Liverpool, Semenyo is the player I would’ve wanted to replace him. He’s just brilliant.”

Michael Owen

The goal marked Semenyo’s eighth in the Premier League this season, and his first since January against Nottingham Forest. His consistent performances have made him one of Bournemouth’s standout players this season, earning him recognition from fans and pundits alike.

Reports indicate that both Liverpool and Arsenal are keeping tabs on Semenyo’s progress, though no official offers have been made yet.

The Ghana international has now matched Michael Essien’s Premier League goal tally, further cementing his rising reputation in English football.

Semenyo will look to add to his tally when Bournemouth face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park this Saturday.

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Antoine Semenyo: Bournemouth deserve European Football next season

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:54:26 +0000

Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo believes AFC Bournemouth’s strong performances this season merit a spot in European competition.

Semenyo scored the decisive goal as the Cherries ended a six-game winless run with a 1-0 victory over Fulham on Monday at the Vitality Stadium.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, the 24-year-old expressed confidence in his side’s European aspirations.

“I feel like what we have done this year, we do definitely deserve the European places,” Semenyo said. “All season long, we have been grinding and beating the top six teams. This little phase we are going through, losing and drawing, every team goes through that, but that is why this win is so important.”

Semenyo noted that the celebrations at full-time reflected how much the result meant to the squad.

“We came into the game wanting to give our all, and you could see at the end in the celebrations that it meant a lot. It has been a tough couple of weeks, but it is good to be back on the board.”

His early strike not only sealed the victory for Bournemouth but also marked a personal milestone — his 10th goal of the season in all competitions, the first time in his professional career he’s hit double figures.

In a post-match chat with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, Semenyo shared insight into his striker’s mindset.

“You know me, I have to cook, if I don’t cook, I am not working,” he joked. “As soon as I got it, I knew I was going to shift onto my left, I just needed space. It was a nice, tidy, calm and collected finish. I knew the goal would come, I’m so happy, it’s such a relief.”

Semenyo will aim to carry his fine form into Bournemouth’s next fixture — an away clash against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

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Semenyo equals Essien’s Premier League goal tally

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:28:37 +0000

Antoine Semenyo has matched Michael Essien’s tally of Premier League goals after firing AFC Bournemouth to a 1-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday.

The Ghanaian forward struck just 53 seconds into the encounter at the Vitality Stadium, ending the Cherries’ six-game winless streak with a decisive, low-driven effort.

The goal marked Semenyo’s eighth of the season — his best-ever return in a single Premier League campaign — and his 17th overall in the English top flight since joining Bournemouth from Bristol City.

With the strike, the 25-year-old moves level with Chelsea legend Michael Essien on the all-time list of Ghanaian Premier League scorers, sitting joint-fifth.

Semenyo now trails only Andre Ayew (21 goals), Jeffrey Schlupp (22), Tony Yeboah (24), and Jordan Ayew (41) on the all-time Ghanaian scorers’ chart.

Bournemouth’s victory lifts them to eighth place on the league table, just six points adrift of seventh-placed Aston Villa, keeping their hopes of a strong finish alive.

Semenyo will aim to build on his fine form when Bournemouth travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace next Saturday.

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Concacaf opposes 64-team World Cup plans for 2030

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:07:27 +0000

Concacaf president Victor Montagliani has criticised a proposal to expand the 2030 men’s World Cup to 64 teams.

The plans, put forward by South American governing body Conmebol, have also drawn opposition from Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The tournament will be hosted by Spain, Morocco and Portugal, after the opening matches are held in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The 2026 World Cup, which will take place across the United States, Mexico and Canada, has already been expanded from 32 to 48 teams.

But Conmebol said it wanted to add more participants to mark the competition’s 100-year anniversary.

“I don’t believe expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams is the right move for the tournament itself and the broader football ecosystem, from national teams to club competitions, leagues, and players,” Montagliani told ESPN.

“We haven’t even kicked off the new 48-team World Cup yet, so personally, I don’t think that expanding to 64 teams should even be on the table.”

Concacaf is the governing body of football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

The decision to expand the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams was taken in 2017 following a unanimous vote at a Fifa congress.

Fifa’s 75th congress will be held in Paraguay on 15 May, when Conmebol’s proposal could be discussed.

If the proposal is accepted, the 2030 edition would consist of 128 matches, double the number played under the 64-game format used from 1998 and 2022.

In March, Ceferin described the proposal as a “bad idea” while AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa said it would cause “chaos”.

“If the issue remains open to change, then the door will not only be open to expanding the tournament to 64 teams,” said Salman.

“But someone might come along and demand raising the number to 132 teams. Where would we end up then? It would become chaos.”

Doncic and Lakers top NBA most popular jersey lists

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:03:26 +0000

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has become the first non-American player to top the list of the NBA’s most popular jerseys.

The 26-year-old Slovenian, who joined the Lakers in February from the Dallas Mavericks in a huge three-way trade deal, is the first player other than Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry or LeBron James of the Lakers to top the list since the 2012-13 regular season.

The five-time All Star was described as a “one-of-a-kind, young global superstar” by the Lakers when he made his move.

Curry is second on the list, and James third, with Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks rounding out the top five.

The Lakers lead the most popular team merchandise list ahead of the Celtics, Warriors, Knicks and Chicago Bulls with results for both categories based on sales from the NBA store’s official site during the regular season.

Since the sport’s trade deadline on 6 February, jersey sales via the site are up 21% compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by Doncic’s trade.

When Mourinho ghosted Eto’o to get best out of him

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:00:14 +0000

It is early 2010 in northern Italy.

The Champions League knockout stages are under way and Inter Milan are preparing to travel to Stamford Bridge with a one-goal first-leg lead to their name, following a 2-1 triumph in the San Siro a few weeks earlier.

Inter manager Jose Mourinho should be worrying about how to protect that slender lead against his former employers.

Having won the Champions League in 2004 with Porto, his career in Europe since then has been one of near-misses and might-have-beens, most notably with the 2005 ghost goal semi-final defeat against Liverpool while managing Chelsea.

Mourinho is indeed knee deep in one of his meticulous, manipulative, man-management moments that he hopes will become a masterclass, but could just as easily backfire spectacularly.

The pre-match news conference surely? An incendiary remark about the opposition? Or an outlandish dig at the referee appointed for the big match?

No. In fact it’s a more inward-looking, insular moment that the man himself reveals in an in-depth exclusive interview for the BBC Sport documentary How to Win the Champions League: Jose Mourinho.

‘Please Mr, let me play’

Inter forward Samuel Eto’o was desperate to be a part of the last-16 second-leg tie at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho was equally keen on Eto’o’s involvement – he’d been a key lieutenant in their run to the knockout stages having signed from Barcelona the summer before. But, Mourinho believed he could glean an extra few percent out of the Cameroonian if he told him the completely opposite.

Less ghost goal, more ghosting.

“Psychology is part of the job and is part of the game with the players,” said Mourinho.

“The way you deal with the press is not going to win matches. Not at all.

“But, with the players? Yes. And, you know, I had I think, hundreds of players [during my career].

“I always looked at each one of them as a different guy than the other guys. Every person is one individual.

“I give you an example of a very strong-minded guy, Samuel Eto’o. The week before that match at Stamford Bridge, I fought him every day. Big, big discussions, big level of pressure.

“I told him: ‘I’m not going to play you. You are not in your best level. You are not going to play’.

“He said: ‘Please Mr, let me play’.

“I said: ‘No, there is no ‘please Mr’ – you are not going to play. You are not performing. I don’t trust you’.

“It was one week of an emotional work with him.”

‘Samuel won us that quarter-final’

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Samuel Eto’o scored in the 78th minute to help Inter Milan win 1-0 at Stamford Bridge and 3-1 on aggregate

Mourinho has been infamous for his emotional pre-match mind games throughout his career. The pre-match news conference effectively acting as a de-facto kick-off for the game itself.

But, usually, this manipulation was trained on the opposition, not his own squad. So, how did Eto’o react?

“Samuel won us that quarter-final against Chelsea. He scored the winning goal at Stamford Bridge. He played a fantastic match,” says Mourinho of a performance from Eto’o that saw him score the only goal and send the Italian side through to the quarter-finals of a tournament they would go on to win.

“He was such a strong guy that I knew that he would react the way he did react.”

‘It’s a bullish approach’

How to Win the Champions League: Jose Mourinho focuses on the Portuguese manager’s two Champions League triumphs – in 2004, with Porto, and that 2010 win with Inter.

Modern-day Mourinho has had his man-management sometimes called into question – think Dele Alli at Tottenham and Paul Pogba at Manchester United.

But, as the Portuguese manager happily explains, and Eto’o embodied, Mourinho, circa 2010, was in his perfect phase of extracting the best from his players. It’s a bullish approach that feels a little outdated in the current climate of player power – but, as Eto’o and Mourinho explain, it worked perfectly back then.

“It made me extremely happy that… Mourinho told me he needed me to do something particular,” Eto’o said at the time. “He wanted a very disciplined role and, because I respect him so much, I said, ‘Yes, coach’ and stuck to my task exactly.”

Fifteen years later, in a west London hotel, Mourinho is similarly happy to reflect on his methodology.

“That individual way of communicating, of motivation, is always something very, very important,” he says. “There is no secret. It is just to look at each one of them, to know them, to understand them, and to deal with them as a complete individual. Like you would if you had one son and one daughter. You cannot educate both in the same way because they are different.”

UCL quarterfinals preview: Borussia Dortmund host Barcelona as Real Madrid clash with Arsenal

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 06:01:15 +0000

The return legs of the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals will be held on the evenings of Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 April 2025, as Europe’s heavyweight teams continue the battle to win the world’s most prestigious club competition.

There is no better place to get your season-long ticket to the best football the world has to offer than DStv!

On Tuesday evening, Aston Villa will welcome Paris Saint-Germain to Villa Park in Birmingham, while Barcelona will head to the atmospheric Westfalenstadion for the return leg against Borussia Dortmund.

PSG secured a 3-1 triumph in the French capital to put themselves in charge of the tie, but winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia insists that there is still a tough return game left to wrestle with.

“We are happy with this result, but we have to keep going as there is the second game and the job is not finished,” said Kvaratskhelia. “[The second leg] will be difficult, but we have to try to play our game and we will see what is happening there.”

Barca manager Hansi Flick, meanwhile, was delighted with his team’s performance in thrashing Dortmund 4-0 in the first leg in Catalunya: “Dortmund are a good team and so we are already aware that we need to travel over there and commit as few errors as possible. Our three guys up front are terrific and very important but so is our defence… and our guys who come off the bench and somehow manage to hit the same performance level as the players they replace.”

Wednesday brings second-leg action from the iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, as Real Madrid play host to Arsenal, while another legendary venue, the San Siro Stadium, will stage the clash between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich.

Real find themselves in peril against the Gunners, having suffered a stunning 3-0 defeat in North London in the first leg, though midfield maestro Jude Bellingham is not giving up the fight.

“There is a second leg, that’s the thing we’re holding on to,” said Bellingham. “We’re going to need something unbelievably special, something crazy – but if there’s one place where crazy things can happen, it’s our house.”

Inter hold all the cards for their clash with Bayern, having won 2-1 in the first leg in Bavaria, but manager Simone Inzaghi insists that they cannot take anything for granted.

“We must congratulate the lads. It is certainly a top-level result that makes us happy. We did something remarkable, but it won’t matter unless we do it in the second leg at San Siro in front of our fans, too,” said the highly-regarded tactician.

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Broadcast details

Tuesday 15 April

21:00: Goals Show – LIVE on SuperSport Grandstand

21:00: Aston Villa v Paris Saint-Germain – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3 and SuperSport Maximo 2

21:00: Borussia Dortmund v Barcelona – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 1

Wednesday 16 April

21:00: Goals Show – LIVE on SuperSport Grandstand

21:00: Real Madrid v Arsenal – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 1

21:00: Inter Milan v Bayern Munich – LIVE on SuperSport PSL and SuperSport Maximo 3

Antoine Semenyo fires Bournemouth to victory over Fulham

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 01:42:12 +0000

Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo was the hero on Monday night as his early strike earned AFC Bournemouth a crucial 1-0 victory over Fulham at the Vitality Stadium.

The 25-year-old wasted no time, finding the back of the net just 53 seconds into the match. Semenyo outpaced Antonee Robinson on the right flank before curling a low shot beyond Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno into the bottom-left corner.

The goal—his eighth in the Premier League this season—marked his first since January 25, when he scored against Nottingham Forest.

Semenyo’s energetic display was met with a standing ovation as he made way in the 90th minute for Argentine midfielder Soler, a recent signing from Lanús.

Bournemouth came close to doubling their lead when Evanilson struck the post, but Semenyo’s early effort ultimately proved enough to secure the Cherries’ first home win since January, ending a six-game winless run.

Fulham, meanwhile, suffered their third consecutive away defeat in the league. Both teams remain six points adrift of Aston Villa, who currently occupy the final automatic European qualification spot.

Bournemouth will be looking to build on the momentum when they face Crystal Palace next at Selhurst Park.

Newcastle boss Howe recovering from pneumonia

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 01:28:56 +0000

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe thanked fans for the “messages and warm wishes” after the club announced he is recovering in hospital having been diagnosed with pneumonia.

Howe, 47, went to hospital late on Friday having felt unwell for a number of days.

Newcastle said on Saturday he would be absent for their Premier League match against Manchester United at St James’ Park on Sunday.

The Magpies won the match 4-1 and assistant manager Jason Tindall said Howe had watched the game from his hospital bed.

“A huge thank you to everyone connected with Newcastle United and the wider football community for your messages and warm wishes. They have meant a lot to me and my family,” Howe said in a statement issued by the club.

“I also want to pay tribute to our incredible NHS and the hospital staff who have treated me.

“I’m immensely grateful for the specialist care I’m receiving and, after a period of recovery, I look forward to being back as soon as possible.”

Tindall and fellow coach Graeme Jones will lead Newcastle for their Premier League matches against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa on 16 and 19 April respectively.

The club said “further updates” concerning Howe’s situation would be “communicated in due course”.

“The club continues to extend its best wishes and support to Eddie and his family as he continues his recovery,” the statement added.

Last month, Howe guided Newcastle to their first domestic trophy for 70 years with a deserved Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool at Wembley.

Newcastle are currently fourth in the Premier League table.

Amersham-born Howe has been in charge of the Magpies since November 2021, when he succeeded Steve Bruce as the club’s head coach.

Newcastle have finished 11th, fourth and seventh in the past three seasons.

Howe has taken charge of 165 matches in all competitions for Newcastle, winning 84, drawing 36 and losing 45 of them.

Under Howe, the Magpies memorably beat Paris St-Germain in the Champions League group stage in the 2023-24 campaign but failed to make it to the knockout stage.

He previously had two spells in charge of Bournemouth either side of a brief stint at Burnley, and has been talked of as a future England manager.

However, he said he was not interviewed by the Football Association to replace Gareth Southgate, with Thomas Tuchel appointed Three Lions boss last October.

PSG’s Doue, the teenager who is the talk of Europe

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 01:23:12 +0000

When Desire Doue walked off slowly and disconsolately after only 64 minutes at Arsenal in October, the teenager touted as French football’s next golden boy looked alone and out of his depth.

Fast forward six months – with a potential Champions League semi-final reunion a growing possibility – and Paris St-Germain’s brilliant young forward has captured the imagination of Europe.

For someone whose name translates to ‘desire gifted’ in English, the 19-year-old has shown vast quantities of both since putting that false start behind him in spectacular fashion.

Doue’s day of disappointment came in a 2-0 loss at Emirates Stadium in the tournament’s new league table format.

Since then, he has matured into a central piece in the new PSG assembled by coach Luis Enrique, performing superbly when Manchester City were beaten 4-2 at Parc des Princes in January, then delivering a brilliant cameo as a substitute before scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout win at Anfield in the last 16.

And, in his most mesmerising display yet, he scored a stunning curling equaliser while running Aston Villa ragged in PSG’s captivating 3-1 win in the quarter-final first leg.

All eyes will be on Doue at Villa Park on Wednesday, one of the poster boys – along with young Georgian genius Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – for the new PSG model as they move away from the so-called ‘Bling Bling’ era of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi to a structured team ethic.

It has been a meteoric rise for Angers-born Doue, who was not even a guaranteed starter at Rennes last season before making a £43m move to PSG in the summer as they tried to fill Mbappe-sized holes in their attack.

Doue comes from strong footballing stock, with his 22-year-old brother Guela playing right-back for Strasbourg after leaving Rennes, while cousin Yann Gboho is a talented attacking midfield player at Toulouse.

He is of French-Ivorian descent, making his full France debut in the 2-0 win against Croatia in the Uefa Nations League quarter-final in March, again scoring a penalty as they went through after a shootout.

Brother Guela has other international allegiances, winning international caps for Ivory Coast.

The brothers developed under the watchful guidance of father Maho, who worked with them every day – organising training sessions outside the work they were doing at Rennes, and still exerts a wise and steadying influence on their careers.

Some eyebrows were raised when PSG paid such a large fee for Doue in the summer, but Rennes are as good at driving a hard bargain as they are producing young gems.

They have history, selling Doue’s current team-mate Ousmane Dembele to Borussia Dortmund, Eduardo Camavinga to Real Madrid and Mathys Tel, now on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, to Bayern Munich.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Manchester United and Newcastle United all showed serious interest in Doue – but it came down to PSG or Bayern.

French football expert Julien Laurens told BBC Sport: “PSG probably would have liked to pay about £34m and tried to get it down, while Bayern were happy to pay more than £50m – but he wanted to go to PSG.

“It might have felt a little high, as it was when PSG paid £34m for Bradley Barcola after six good months as Lyon, but there is a premium, as there is in England, when you sell from French club to French club.

“The key was that Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos were both convinced they were getting a superstar in the making.

“Doue is so talented, strong mentally and physically. At PSG, they say he’s got rugby players’ legs because the bottom half of his body is so strong.

“They knew in Paris it would take time but they were ready. Luis Enrique was so happy to sign him. He was the player he wanted. They were aware he may need half-a-season, a season, but were happy to wait if needed.”

Despite these new burdens, PSG insiders have been hugely delighted with Doue’s dedication and professionalism.

“The club have been very impressed with his fitness work, gym work,” said Laurens.

It was the same at Rennes, former coach Bruno Genesio saying: “Away from the pitch he’s a dream: easy, calm, with a streak of leadership while still asking for advice. He’s both care-free and conscientious in his work. He’s already a pro in his head.”

Doue first hit the radar when France won the European Under-17 Championships in Israel in 2022, then he was on the bench for the Olympic final in Paris two years later, coming on after 77 minutes when France lost 5-3 to Spain after extra time.

The Olympics arguably contributed to his slow start at PSG, lacking a proper pre-season, but he has been the beneficiary of careful management by Luis Enrique – who has worked individually with Doue, encouraging him through his quiet start.

He has only made five starts in the Champions League this season, with seven appearances as a substitute, scoring three goals and adding two assists.

It was at Anfield where he made his mark, coming on after 67 minutes to deliver a performance of remarkable maturity, capping it by being entrusted with the spot-kick that sent PSG through.

Doue has been kept out of the limelight by PSG, while the calming, grounded influence of his family is a huge factor.

Laurens explained: “The dad, Maho, is very influential in everything they do. Some families think their son is the next Cristiano Ronaldo, oblivious to everything going on on the pitch, but they were realistic.

“After the Arsenal game, where he did look out of his depth, they said he wasn’t ready for the big step up another level. They understood he had to work a lot, he had to mature. They were very realistic about what he had to do. It was very impressive, very refreshing. They understood.”

Doue has also had to adjust to life in the Paris goldfish bowl, away from quieter Rennes.

He lives in the fashionable Boulogne-Billancourt area and Pierre-Etienne Minonzio, based in Paris with influential sports paper L’Equipe, told BBC Sport: “Recently he was in a very popular shop. He was there just looking for a book when somebody spotted him.

“It was totally normal because he is so young, but maybe he did not understand it is going to be hard for him to be in crowded places in Paris.

“It is good that he thought he was not a star, but he probably hasn’t been back. He’s very into performance, wanting to be the best. If you tell him one of the next steps in his evolution is not to be seen so much in public, he will understand no problem.”

It took until December for Doue to score his first PSG goal, in the 3-0 win away to Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League, but since then it has been lift-off.

“He was born in 2005 and in France’s football world, everybody said the big thing in France born in 2005 was Mathys Tel, now at Spurs,” Minonzio said.

“For his generation Doue was not the one because he was less talented than Tel, but when you get older the psychological attributes make a lot of difference and Doue has shown incredible mental strength.

“Everybody thought for this generation of players Tel would be the main guy, but now the talk is Doue.”

And to crown his development, Doue was called up by France coach Didier Deschamps, overtaking two other players regarded as potential members of the new generation, Lyon forward Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco.

Laurens said: “It all changed from a wider perspective after his debut for France. He was outstanding against Croatia. He was not scared, demanded the ball, scored a penalty. This guy had arrived.”

In France, the general view is that Doue’s form left Deschamps with no option.

Minonzio says: “Deschamps is obsessed with the Champions League. He wants his players to show him their ability in high-level games. He is always a little hesitant to take players who are very good in French league games but don’t play in Champions League.

“It was obvious in March that Deschamps had no choice other than to select him.”

Villa Park is the next step on his development. And while the sky seems the limit, there is still caution.

“A few months ago I would have told you the face of the new PSG would be Warren Zaire-Emery. Just 19, Parisian, lots of talent.” says Minonzio.

“Everything he did was so impressive but you always have to wait to see how they react when there are problems.

“This is the fascination with Doue in France. We still don’t know how good he will be but at the moment he is free, does not ask any questions and life is good. He has been incredible.”

Modric becomes Swansea ‘investor and co-owner’

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 01:18:49 +0000

Real Madrid and Croatia legend Luka Modric has become an “investor and co-owner” with a minority stake in Championship side Swansea City.

The 39-year-old midfielder has joined Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Nigel Morris and Jason Cohen among the ownership group.

That cohort purchased the shares of former majority owners Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan last November.

“This is an exciting opportunity. Swansea has a strong identity, an incredible fanbase, and the ambition to compete at the highest level,” said Modric.

“Playing at the highest level, I believe I can provide my experience to the club. My goal is to support the club’s growth in a positive way and to help to build an exciting future.”

Modric’s move is believed to be his first into football ownership and he will continue to play for Real Madrid, albeit with his current contract due to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.

The Swans stated: “Luka’s investment in the club is an endorsement of the club’s ambition and vision. He will play a key role in helping the club garner global attention and progress both on and off the pitch.”

Swansea chief executive Tom Gorringe added: “There is no better role model in the game for our players, from the academy right through to the first team.

“His endorsement of our ambition and willingness to support us on our journey will be instrumental as we aim to continue to improve our results on and off the pitch.

“In our conversations, he has demonstrated his passion for the club, his knowledge of how we are performing, and a genuine passion to help us improve.”

The Swansea City board collectively stated: “From our first discussions, it was clear that there was alignment on our visions and that Luka would be a real asset to our group.”

Swansea posted a pre-tax loss of £15.2m in the latest financial year.

That was a drop of £2.7m compared to the pre-tax loss of £17.9m posted for the previous financial year.

They posted a turnover of £21.5m for the year ending 30 June, 2024.

In a statement accompanying their annual financial status, Swansea said: “The board acknowledges that whilst the magnitude of the operational loss is a product of the highly competitive environment within the EFL Championship in which the club currently competes, the club will continue to focus on achieving operational efficiencies in order to maximise the resources which can be invested into the first-team squad.

“The costs of operating a stadium and two training facilities are significant and are growing.

“In the absence of any immediate prospect of a redistribution agreement between the EFL and the Premier League, the club will continue to be reliant on the support of its ownership group as the main source of funding.”

Chelsea spend most on agents for second successive year

Samuel Appiah — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 01:13:27 +0000

Chelsea have spent the most on agents fees of all Premier League clubs for the second successive year.

The Football Assocation has released the net total paid to football agents by every club in the top five divisions of English men’s football, and the top two tiers of the women’s game.

The figures, which cover the period between 2 February 2024 and 3 February 2025, show Chelsea spent a little over £60m for agents to help facilitate transfers for the men’s team.

This is the most of any Premier League side, although the figure is down on their 2023-24 outlay of £75.1m.

The 20 Premier League teams spent a combined £409.1m on fees, down from £409.5m in the previous period.

Manchester City again spent the second most on agents – a little over £52m – followed by Manchester United with an outlay of £33m.

Aston Villa (£25m) and Newcastle (£24.3m) complete the top five biggest spenders, with the current Premier League top two of Arsenal (£22.8m) and Liverpool (£20.8m) following behind.

West Ham (£19m), Tottenham (£18.4m) and Brighton (£16.5m) are in the top 10 for outlay.

The lowest spenders were Ipswich Town, who paid out just £6.2m across a period in which they were promoted to the Premier League.

In the Championship, Leeds United far outspent the rest of the division in their attempt to get promoted back to the top flight.

Daniel Farke’s side spent £18.8m on agent fees, with the 24-club league paying out a combined £63.2m.

The second biggest spenders in the Championship were Burnley, who paid a comparatively small £5.3m to agents in this period.

In the Women’s Super League, Chelsea were also the highest spenders on agents, with the champions paying £622,604 to intermediaries.

This is nearly triple the amount of the second-highest spenders, Manchester City – £288,628 – with the 12 WSL clubs paying a combined £2.1m to agents.

This means Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea were responsible for 28.6% of the division’s spending.

Annor Walker clarifies remarks after Vision FC, Hearts draw

Samuel Appiah — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 13:48:50 +0000

Technical Director of Vision FC, Annor Walker, has clarified that his bold pre-match remarks about “finishing Hearts of Oak in 25 minutes” were purely for promotional purposes and not intended as disrespect.

Ahead of the Ghana Premier League clash at the Nii Adjei Kraku Park, Walker confidently claimed his side would dominate the Phobians, but the match ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.

Speaking to Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show after the game, Walker explained his comments.

“Hearts is a big club, I have a lot of respect for them,” he said. “My pre-match comments were for promotional purposes, not meant to disrespect them,” he added.

Hearts of Oak took the lead just before halftime when Kelvin Osei Asibey capitalized on a defensive error to score. Vision FC, however, drew level in the second half when Adjetey Sowah curled home a brilliant strike after Raphael Amponsah’s poor clearance.

The result leaves Hearts of Oak in sixth place on 41 points, while Vision FC remains in 14th position with 29 points.

Vision FC will seek to return to winning ways when they face Berekum Chelsea in their next fixture.

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SC Freiburg coach provides positive update on Daniel Kofi Kyereh

Samuel Appiah — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 13:42:45 +0000

SC Freiburg head coach Christian Streich has offered a hopeful update on Ghanaian midfielder Daniel Kofi Kyereh, who has been sidelined for nearly two years due to recurring injuries.

The 29-year-old playmaker suffered his second cruciate ligament tear in February 2023. Despite steady progress, Kyereh faced another setback in July 2024, undergoing surgery after aggravating the same injury.

Speaking to the media, Streich shared his optimism about the player’s recovery journey.

“Kofi has been suffering for a long time. Two years is a really long time. Nevertheless, there have been positive moments recently,” the coach said.

He added, “He’s mostly been playing individually. Nevertheless, he’s already participated in some of our training sessions at the start. These are moments that make us feel positive.”

Kyereh, who has 18 caps for Ghana’s national team, is yet to feature for Freiburg this season.

Ogum acknowledges Kotoko’s difficulties in 1-1 draw against Bechem United

Samuel Appiah — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:44:30 +0000

Asante Kotoko head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum has acknowledged his team’s struggles in finding their rhythm during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Bechem United at the Baba Yara Stadium in a Matchday 27 Ghana Premier League fixture.

The visitors took the lead in the 69th minute through Darlvin Yeboah, before Albert Amoah leveled the score for Kotoko with a penalty, ensuring both teams shared the points.

Speaking after the match, Ogum praised Bechem United’s tactical approach, noting how their compact defensive setup caused problems for Kotoko’s attacking play.

“It was a nice game. I think Bechem came defensively to stay low and then go on the counter,” Ogum said. “They tried to put a lot of men behind the ball, which made it very difficult for us to penetrate, but we tried a few times and we were able to unlock it, but we couldn’t score. It was a good game.”

Ogum also pointed out that a lack of cohesion hindered Kotoko’s performance.

“Bechem United is a very good side, but I think we didn’t find our rhythm, we didn’t find our flow, and I think that is the main reason,” he added.

Despite the draw, Asante Kotoko remain top of the league table with 47 points, while Bechem United stay in 7th place with 40 points.

Looking ahead, Bechem United will host Bibiani GoldStars, while Kotoko will travel to face Accra Lions in their next fixture.

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We should have beaten Asante Kotoko – Bechem United coach Kwaku Danso

Samuel Appiah — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:06:51 +0000

Bechem United coach Kwaku Danso feels his team should have secured the maximum points against Asante Kotoko in their Matchday 27 encounter at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.

Darlvin Yeboah gave Bechem United the lead in the 69th minute with a fine strike, but Kotoko fought back and equalized through Albert Amoah, who converted a penalty to end the game 1-1.

“It wasn’t bad. Before the game, I told you we are going to change the narrative, and you’ve seen it yourself. We should have won the game because my boys played to instructions,” Kwaku Danso said after the match.

When asked about the performance of the match officials, Danso declined to comment, stating, “I don’t want to comment about certain things, so let me reserve my comment on that.”

Despite the draw, Bechem United remain in 7th place on the league table with 40 points, while Kotoko hold the top spot with 47 points.

Danso will be hoping to steer his side back to winning ways when they host Bibiani GoldStars, while Kotoko will travel to face Accra Lions.

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Hearts of Oak coach Aboubakar Ouattara content with draw against Vision FC

Samuel Appiah — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 11:52:16 +0000

Hearts of Oak Head Coach, Aboubakar Ouattara, Expresses Satisfaction With Draw Against Vision FC

Hearts of Oak head coach, Aboubakar Ouattara, has expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of their 1-1 draw against Vision FC in the Matchday 27 fixture of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League on Sunday.

The Phobians were hosted at the Nii Adjei Okraku II Sports Complex, where they took the lead through Kelvin Osei Asibey’s 40th-minute strike. However, a stunning goal from Adjetey Sowah equalized for Vision FC, ensuring the game ended in a draw.

“We played at this stadium, but it is not easy for us because of some things I don’t want to say, but I think the game is not bad. The two teams tried their best, and we got our points,” Ouattara said after the match.

He added, “We are impressed because every time I tell them we can score, we created some chances, but no problem because the opponent also did well in defense, and in midfield, everybody tried to win the match.”

The draw leaves Hearts of Oak in fifth place with 41 points, while Vision FC sits 14th with 29 points.

Looking ahead, Ouattara’s side will aim to return to winning ways when they travel to Aduana FC, while Vision FC will play away against Basake Hoy Stars.

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I will never change my style of play – Kudus

Samuel Appiah — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 11:05:44 +0000

Mohammed Kudus has reaffirmed his commitment to his signature dribbling and expressive playing style, insisting that he will not change his approach regardless of external pressures.

Despite facing challenges this season, Kudus has remained one of the Premier League’s top dribblers.

The 24-year-old ranks among the top five dribblers in the English top flight and is also in the top 10 across Europe’s top five leagues. By the end of 2024, the Ghana international had completed a remarkable 127 take-ons, the highest in Europe’s elite leagues.

In an interview with Premier League Productions, Kudus explained, “We are all different, and we all have our impact in the world, so there’s not a single day I’ll ever change my style of play for any coach, anybody, whatsoever.”

He continued, “I think me expressing myself on the pitch, playing how I play is just who I am, and that will never change. At the end of the day, be the boy from Nima living his dream, and maybe people can find inspiration through that by being myself.”

While Kudus has not quite reached the heights of his debut season, he has still scored five goals for West Ham this term. He most recently featured in the Hammers’ 2-1 loss to Liverpool.

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CAF African Schools Football Championship: Asamoah Gyan and Clementine Toure to assist with draw

Samuel Appiah — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 11:01:00 +0000

As excitement builds ahead of the much-anticipated CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals in Ghana, CAF has confirmed African legends Asamoah Gyan and Clementine Toure as assistants for the Official Draw on Monday, 21 April in Accra.

The CAF African Schools Football Championship, Ghana 2025 will take place in Accra between 23 – 26 April.

Ghana’s Gyan and Toure from Cote d’Ivoire will be handed the responsibility of assisting with the draw of the third edition of Africa’s largest school football competition continental finals.

Also present at the draw will be Abedi Pele, Adjoa Bayor (both Ghana), Robert Kidiaba (DR Congo), as well as Amanda Dlamini (South Africa), who, alongside Gyan and Toure, will play a supporting role to the participating teams throughout the competition.

The CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals mark the culmination of another impactful season of the innovative youth football competition, and will see eight (8) nations in both the Boys and Girls Under-15 age categories contesting for continental honours.

Running parallel to the four-day competition will be various CAF Capacity Building Programmes that have been uniquely designed in a bid to develop future African talent that is equally able to lead both on and off the pitch.

South Africa are the current holders of the CAF African Schools Football Championship Girls U-15 title, after clinching it in a closely contested encounter against Morocco in Tanzania last year.

The Boys U-15 title is held by Tanzania, who lifted the trophy in front of their supporters last year, following their win over Guinea.

Winners of both the Boys’ and Girls’ competition will each receive USD 300,000 prize money, with the runners-up receiving USD 200,000 and bronze medallists USD 150,000 to be utilised for development projects within schools.

A donation of USD 10 million was granted by the Motsepe Foundation at the launch of the CAF African Schools Football Championship in 2022.

CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025 Teams:

GIRLS: Ghana (Hosts), Benin (WAFU B), DR Congo (UNIFFAC), South Africa (Champions, COSAFA), Uganda (CECAFA) Gambia (WAFU A), Malawi (COSAFA), Morocco (UNAF)

BOYS: Ghana (Hosts) Algeria, (UNAF), Cote d’Ivoire (WAFU B), DR Congo (UNIFFAC), South Africa (COSAFA), Senegal (WAFU A) Tanzania (Champions), Uganda (CECAFA),

I want to have the qualities of Yaya Toure and Michael Essien – Partey

Samuel Appiah — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 10:42:41 +0000

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has revealed his ambition to blend the best qualities of African football icons Yaya Toure and Michael Essien as he continues his standout form.

Following an impressive performance against Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, Partey delivered another solid display, scoring in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brentford at the Emirates Stadium over the weekend.

The 31-year-old, who has faced injury struggles this season, appears to be finding peak form at a crucial moment for the Gunners.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Partey shared his goal of becoming a more complete midfielder. “I like to be defensive and offensive. I know whenever I am in the opposite area, I have chances for a goal, and defensively, I want to be stronger,” he said.

“I want to attack like Yaya Toure and defend like Michael Essien, so having both qualities is important,” Partey added.

Arsenal are closely monitoring Partey’s fitness ahead of their decisive second-leg clash against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday.

He was substituted during the first leg after picking up a knock, but the club is optimistic that he will be fit for the crucial encounter.

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Clippers and Timberwolves win to secure NBA play-off spot

Samuel Appiah — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 09:54:07 +0000

The LA Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves each secured a play-off spot with victories on the final day of the regular NBA season.

The Clippers finished fifth in the Western Conference with a 124-119 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors, who drop into the play-in tournament.

James Harden scored 12 of his game-high 39 points in overtime as the Clippers set up a play-off meeting with the Denver Nuggets, who had already qualified for the play-offs but clinched fourth place by beating the Houston Rockets 126-111.

Anthony Edwards top-scored with 43 points as the Timberwolves beat the Utah Jazz 116-105 to finish sixth and set-up a play-off with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Which teams have secured a spot in the NBA play-offs?

Eastern Conference play-offs: Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks.

Play-ins: Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls.

Western Conference play-offs: Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesotra Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers.

Play-ins: Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings.

How do the NBA play-offs work?

The play-offs begin with the play-in tournament between the four teams finishing seventh to 10th in the regular season.

Seventh play eighth – with the winners going straight into the play-offs to face the second seed.

But the losers get a second chance, as they then face the winners of the play-in match between the teams in ninth and 10th. The losers of that game are eliminated, while the winners go into the play-offs to face the top seeds.

Play-off rounds are decided by a best-of-seven series, with match-ups decided by seedings.

The first round is followed by the conference semi-finals, then the conference finals, with the winners of each conference meeting in the NBA Finals.

What are the NBA play-off fixtures?

Western Conference play-ins:

Memphis Grizzlies (8) at Golden State Warriors (7)

Dallas Mavericks (10) at Sacramento Kings (9)

Play-offs:

Oklahoma City Thunder (1) v TBD

Houston Rockets (2) v TBD

Los Angeles Lakers (3) v Minnesota Timberwolves (6)

Denver Nuggets (4) v LA Clippers

Eastern Conference play-ins:

Atlanta Hawks (8) at Orlando Magic (7)

Miami Heat (10) at Chicago Bulls (9)

Play-offs:

Cleveland Cavaliers (1) v TBD

Boston Celtics (2) v TBD

New York Knicks (3) v Detroit Pistons (6)

Indian Pacers (4) v Milwaukee Bucks (5)

Brackets denote seeding

When does the NBA Finals series take place?

The NBA play-ins take place between Wednesday and Friday. The play-offs are scheduled between 19 April and 2 June.

The opening game of the NBA Finals takes place on 5 June.

Games are then scheduled every three days after that and, if all seven games are required, game seven will be on 22 June.

Africa’s 10 representatives confirmed for historic U-17 World Cup in Qatar

Samuel Appiah — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 09:44:41 +0000

Africa’s ten representatives for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 have been confirmed, following the conclusion of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) play-offs on Saturday.

Egypt and Uganda claimed the final two African slots for the global tournament after crucial wins in the play-off round on Saturday, joining Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, and Zambia as the continent’s flagbearers at the world stage.

The expanded tournament – the largest in the history of the U-17 World Cup – will feature 48 teams for the first time and will be held from 3 to 27 November 2025 in Qatar.

Uganda made history by qualifying for their maiden U-17 World Cup after a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over The Gambia.

After conceding in under a minute, goals from James Bogere in the 13th and 33rd minutes turned the tide for the East Africans, who held firm to book a debut appearance on the world stage.

Later in the day, hosts Egypt delighted home fans with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Angola.

A deflected strike from Abdel Aziz El Zoghby and a second-half effort by Hamza Mohamed Abdel Karim sealed the ticket for the Pharaohs, despite Angola pulling one back late in the game.

The other eight African nations had already qualified by progressing to the knockout stages of the U-17 AFCON.

Among them are Senegal, defending African champions at youth level, and Côte d’Ivoire, who impressed with a resounding 4-2 win over Mali during the group stage.

Tunisia and South Africa also secured their places early after finishing strongly in their respective groups, while traditional powerhouses Morocco and Zambia return to the global stage with high expectations.

The U-17 World Cup has been a proving ground for future superstars including Michael Essien and Sammy Kuffuor, Nwankwo Kanu, Seydou Keita and Mahamadou Diarra.

Now, Africa’s new generation of talent will look to shine on the world stage and possibly follow in their illustrious footsteps.

With the continent’s ten teams now confirmed, the focus turns to preparations and the final draw, as Africa gears up to challenge for global glory in Doha later this year.

U20 AFCON: Ghana to face Senegal, DR Congo and Central African Republic in Group C

Samuel Appiah — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 22:08:54 +0000

Ghana’s U-20 national team, the Black Satellites, have been placed in Group C for the upcoming 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The final draw for the tournament was held on Sunday, April 13, in Cairo by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Ghana will face tough competition in Group C, where they are set to battle Senegal, DR Congo, and the Central African Republic.

Head coach Desmond Ofei and his squad are expected to play a number of preparatory friendly matches before departing for Egypt, the host nation.

The tournament is scheduled to run from April 27 to May 18, 2025.

Full Group below:

2024/25 GHPL MD27 Wrap: Kotoko held by Bechem United as Vision FC share spoils with Hearts of Oak

Samuel Appiah — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 21:48:06 +0000

The Matchday 27 fixtures of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League delivered drama, goals, and crucial results across the various match venues.

Medeama SC kicked off the weekend in style with a commanding 4-0 win over Dreams FC at the TNA Park.

Kingsley Braye was the star of the night, netting a brilliant hat-trick. He opened the scoring in the 38th minute and added a second deep into first-half stoppage time.

Braye completed his treble in the 74th minute, before Mubarik Yussif wrapped up the rout with an 88th-minute penalty.

Saturday’s action at the Accra Sports Stadium saw Accra Lions come from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over their visitors.

Prince Tweneboah gave the away side an early lead in the 5th minute, but the Lions roared back in the second half.

Hamzata Musah equalised in the 71st minute, and Lucky Nwafor secured all three points with a 76th-minute winner.

At the Baba Yara Stadium, Asante Kotoko were held to a 1-1 draw by Bechem United. Darlvin Yeboah stunned the home side with a 59th-minute opener, but Kotoko responded through Albert Amoah in the 80th minute to salvage a point.

Hearts of Oak also dropped points, drawing 1-1 with Vision FC at the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex.

Kelvin Osei Asibey handed the Phobians a first-half lead in the 38th minute, but Meshack Sowah Adjetey levelled two minutes into the second half.

Karela United boosted their survival hopes with a 2-0 triumph over Aduana FC at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium.

Adamu Alhassan was the hero, scoring both goals to register United’s seventh win of the season.

In Berekum, Berekum Chelsea edged Heart of Lions 1-0 at the Golden City Park thanks to a 17th-minute goal by Zackaria Fuseini, securing their ninth league victory.

Bibiani Gold Stars climbed to joint top of the league table with a narrow 1-0 win over Young Apostles FC at DUN’s Park. Alex Esso scored just before halftime to separate the two sides.

At the Accra Sports Stadium, Legon Cities’ woes deepened as they suffered a 2-0 loss to FC Samartex 1996.

Emmanuel Mamah opened the scoring in the 21st minute, and Baba Musa Hamadu sealed the win in the 58th, pushing Cities closer to the relegation zone.

The top four spots are occupied by Asante Kotoko, Bibiani Gold Stars, Nations FC, and Medeama SC. Meanwhile, Accra Lions, Legon Cities, and Nsoatreman FC find themselves in the relegation zone as the season heads into its final stretch.

𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟-𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘

Medeama SC 4-0 Dreams FC

Accra Lions 2-1 Basake Holy Stars

Asante Kotoko 1-1 Bechem United

Vision FC 1-1 Hearts of Oak

Karela United 2-0 Aduana FC

Berekum Chelsea 1-0 Heart of Lions

Bibiani Goldstars 1-0 Young Apostles

Legon Cities 0-2 FC Samartex

WPL 2024/25: Police Ladies crowned Southern Zone champions

Samuel Appiah — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 20:59:37 +0000

The Southern Zone of the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League has a new champion in Police Ladies, following an impressive 18-match week run.

After a hard-fought 2-0 win over FC Epiphany Warriors on the final match day at the Adjiriganor Astro Turf in Accra, Police Ladies cemented their top spot, two points clear of contenders Hasaacas Ladies.

The two teams were joint top of the table with 36 points, separated only by goal difference, heading into the final match day.

Police Ladies are cruising into the grand final of the league for the first time, following Hasaacas Ladies’ failure to pick up all three points at home against Jonina Ladies.

The record title holders, Hasaacas Ladies, were pushed to the edge by Jonina Ladies in a thrilling match that ended 1-1, stalling their title hopes.

Police Ladies finished the campaign with 11 wins, six draws, and one defeat, accruing 39 points. Police Ladies will now face Northern Zonal Champions, Ampem Darkoa, in the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League playoff finale on a later date in May.

Mbappe sent off as Real Madrid beat Alaves

Samuel Appiah — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 17:48:39 +0000

Kylian Mbappe was sent off for the first time in his Real Madrid career but his team-mates held on to defeat Alaves and move back to within four points of La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Mbappe was initially shown a yellow card for catching Antonio Blanco high on the shin with a late challenge, but that was upgraded to red after the video assistant referee (VAR) invited referee Cesar Soto Grado to watch the incident again on the pitchside monitor.

The incident occurred four minutes after Eduardo Camavinga gave Real Madrid the lead with a curling left-footed strike from just outside the penalty area.

Thibaut Courtois produced six saves to thwart Alaves, who were themselves reduced to 10 men when Manu Sanchez caught Vinicius Jr high on the leg in the 70th minute.

Vinicius and Jude Bellingham started on the bench, perhaps with a view to the 3-0 deficit they will look to overturn against Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti introduced his two stars as his side looked to kill off the hosts, but they mustered just one shot on target in the second half compared to Alaves’ five.

Victory keeps Los Blancos in touch with Barcelona, who beat strugglers Leganes 1-0 on Saturday.

Mbappe will miss Real’s home fixture against Athletic Bilbao next Sunday through suspension.

Real Madrid will travel to Barcelona on 11 May in a match that could determine the title race.

Newcastle beat Man Utd to boost Champions League hopes

Samuel Appiah — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 17:45:34 +0000

Newcastle United strengthened their push for a Champions League spot in the absence of unwell boss Eddie Howe with a crushing win over Manchester United at St James’ Park.

Howe was admitted to the hospital on Friday having felt unwell for a number of days.

Assistants Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones took charge against United and the players responded with a fine performance as they recorded a first league double over their opponents since the 1930-31 campaign.

United boss Ruben Amorim dropped first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana after his two mistakes against Lyon in Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League quarter-final first-leg draw, but replacement Altay Bayındır was guilty of a serious error to seal an easy home win.

The Turkey international clipped a ball straight to Joelinton who headed into the path of Bruno Guimaraes to make it 4-1 in the 77th minute.

By then, though, Newcastle were in complete command.

They were the better side from the first minute to the last and opened the scoring when Alexander Isak’s lobbed pass over the visiting defence ended with Sandro Tonali finding the net.

Italy midfielder Tonali went close to doubling the lead from distance, while Bayındır did well to deny Isak, before Manchester United equalised against the run of play.

Alejandro Garnacho kept his composure eight minutes before the break to shoot beyond Nick Pope for his side’s first goal in three top-flight games.

But Newcastle moved up to fourth spot – just a point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest – when Harvey Barnes put the game out of reach with two second-half goals.

After tapping home Jacob Murphy’s pass across the six-yard area to make it 2-1 in the 49th minute, Barnes produced a ruthless finish 15 minutes later after a slip by Noussair Mazraoui. Bayindir’s howler just compounded United’s misery on Tyneside.

United, who lost Joshua Zirkzee to a suspected hamstring injury, dropped below Everton on goal difference to 14th in the table – and just three points off fourth-bottom West Ham – after a 10th defeat in 21 Premier League games under Ruben Amorim.

Late Van Dijk header helps Liverpool beat West Ham

Samuel Appiah — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 17:41:57 +0000

Liverpool moved to potentially one win from the Premier League title as captain Virgil van Dijk’s late header helped them beat West Ham United at Anfield.

Victory means that if Arsenal lose at Ipswich next weekend, the Reds can wrap up the title by beating Leicester.

Mohamed Salah, who signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool this week, provided the assist with a splendid pass for Luis Diaz to open the scoring on 18 minutes.

But Liverpool failed to build on this and West Ham deservedly equalised when Andy Robertson turned the ball into his own net.

However, in the 90th minute Van Dijk – who is expected to join Salah in agreeing a new deal to stay with the club – rose highest to head home a corner and put Liverpool 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with just six league games to play.

It was a frantic end to a game in which Liverpool allowed control to slip from their grasp and where West Ham, who are not yet mathematically safe from relegation, came close on numerous occasions before finally scoring.

Reds keeper Alisson – passed fit after missing the loss at Fulham with concussion – made a series of fine saves throughout the game. In the first half he brilliantly tipped a Mohammed Kudus chip on to the crossbar, and after the break he made crucial stops from Jarrod Bowen and Kudus again.

Liverpool nearly doubled their lead after the break when Alexis Mac Allister’s free-kick rattled the bar, while West Ham sub Niclas Fullkrug also hit the woodwork with a chance to make it 2-2.

But, while still below their best, Liverpool found the response to suffering only their second league loss of the season last weekend. This win also mathematically ensures the Reds have qualified for the Champions League for 2025-26.

With Wolves winning, West Ham fall to 17th but are 14 points above the bottom three.

Chelsea fight back to draw against Ipswich

Samuel Appiah — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 17:39:25 +0000

Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were dented with the Blues held to a 2-2 draw against Ipswich at Stamford Bridge.

Despite Chelsea’s early dominance, it was Ipswich who took the lead when on-loan Brighton midfielder Julio Enciso poked home Ben Johnson’s cross to score his first goal for the club.

Enciso turned provider for Ipswich’s second, chipping a brilliant ball to the back post for Johnson to head in his first goal of the season and give the visitors a two-goal lead at the break.

An Axel Tuanzebe own goal 20 seconds into the second half reduced the deficit, but Chelsea had to wait until ten minutes from time to find an equaliser when substitute Jadon Sancho curled a wonderful effort into the top corner from a short-corner routine.

Trevor Chalobah and Pedro Neto both went close for Chelsea but the draw leaves the Blues in fifth, three points behind third-placed Nottingham Forest and ahead of sixth-placed Aston Villa on goal difference.

Ipswich are 14 points adrift from safety following Wolves’ win against Tottenham at Molineux.

Thomas Partey urges Arsenal to stay confident ahead of return leg clash with Real Madrid

Samuel Appiah — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 14:21:36 +0000

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has called on his Arsenal teammates to remain confident as they prepare for a crucial Champions League second-leg encounter against Real Madrid.

The Gunners will travel to the iconic Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, holding a commanding 3-0 advantage from the first leg.

Partey, who has been in impressive form, followed up his Champions League performance with a goal in Arsenal’s Premier League victory over Brentford — a sign of his growing influence in the team’s midfield.

Ahead of the decisive fixture in Madrid, Partey shared his belief in the squad’s ability to get the job done against the reigning European champions.

“I think we’ve experienced this many times when we play here, and I think it’s not going to be something different,” he said.

“We just have to be confident with the ball and try to play our game.

“We all know what we have to do. We have to go there with the mentality to win. We want to win every game.

“And I think we have to play our game, be confident with the ball and also try to find our weaknesses and keep attacking them,” he added.

Kick-off is set for 19:00 GMT.

Thomas Partey a doubt for Arsenal’s Champions League showdown against Real Madrid

Samuel Appiah — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 13:55:03 +0000

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is facing a race against time to be fit for the club’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

The Ghana international, who found the net in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brentford on Saturday, was forced off the pitch after experiencing discomfort, raising concerns over his availability for the crucial tie at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The 31-year-old is currently undergoing medical evaluation, with the club awaiting the results to determine the severity of the issue.

“We didn’t expect the issue with Thomas that we had to take him out. He felt something, so we didn’t want to take any risks,” Arteta said.

“We don’t know the diagnosis yet, I haven’t spoken to the doctors. They will check him now and see how he is,” he added.

Partey had only recently returned to full fitness and was beginning to reestablish his influence in Arsenal’s midfield.

His absence would be a significant setback for the Gunners as they look to secure a place in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009.

Despite holding a commanding three-goal advantage from the first leg, Arsenal remain wary of Real Madrid’s formidable European record.

Arteta will be hoping to have as many of his key players fit and available as the North London club prepares for one of its biggest nights in recent history.

Onana dropped from Man Utd squad to face Newcastle

Samuel Appiah — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 12:44:05 +0000

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been left out of Sunday’s Premier League game at Newcastle.

Onana was at fault for both Lyon goals in his side’s 2-2 draw in the Europa League on Thursday – a day after he had been called “one of the worst goalkeepers” in United’s history by former Red Devils player Nemanja Matic.

Sources confirmed Onana has been omitted from Ruben Amorim’s squad for the game at St James’ Park to allow the Cameroon international to “rest and disconnect”.

It is expected he will be in contention to face Lyon in the return leg of the quarter-final tie at Old Trafford on Thursday and has been assured the change is not regarded as permanent.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will miss Sunday’s match after he was admitted to hospital having “felt unwell for a number of days”, the club has said.

Turkey’s Altay Bayindir is expected to deputise for Onana at Newcastle in what would be only his sixth appearance of the season and his first Premier League game.

He has not featured since January, having played only in cup games this season.

Since the start of last season Onana has made eight errors leading to goals in all competitions, the most of any keeper playing for a Premier League club.

Amorim defended the 29-year-old after the performance against Lyon, saying he had made more mistakes this season than Onana.

Onana has struggled to live up to his £47m transfer fee since his arrival from Inter Milan in 2023 but has played all 69 Premier League games since he joined the club.

Former United manager Erik ten Hag ditched popular first-choice David de Gea, believing Onana was better with the ball at his feet.

However, Onana has made a series of mistakes, with the first goal in Lyon, when he dived to push a routine shot away from goal but inexplicably missed it, a prime example.

Aside from Onana’s on-field issues, he has also had to deal with off-field problems.

His wife Melanie Kamayou was robbed as she left a restaurant in Cheshire last month.

Onana concedes a goal every 63 minutes on average

All Man Utd goalkeepers with 10+ Premier League apps

Man Utd GKs in PL	Games (10+)	Minutes played	Goals conceded	Mins/conceded	Clean sheet %
Roy Carroll	49	4,260	28	152	49
Tomasz Kuszczak	32	2,802	20	140	47
Ben Foster	12	1,080	9	120	50
Edwin van der Sar	186	16,591	142	117	48
Peter Schmeichel	252	22,376	212	106	44
Tim Howard	45	4,003	42	95	36
Raimond van der Gouw	37	2,743	29	95	22
Dean Henderson	13	1,125	12	94	31
Fabien Barthez	92	8,079	88	92	33
Mark Bosnich	23	1,875	21	89	39
Gary Walsh	13	1,140	13	88	39
David de Gea	415	37,289	446	84	35
Anders Lindegaard	19	1,710	21	81	47
Andre Onana	69	6,210	99	63	26

Source: Opta – correct as of 9.4.25

Onana makes the most saves per game

Man Utd goalkeepers with 900+ Premier League mins in last 20 years

Tap on Saves per 90 or Saves % columns to order by highest/lowest

Man Utd GKs since 03-04	Mins played (900+)	Saves per 90	Save %
Andre Onana	6,210	3.4	70.1
Dean Henderson	1,125	3.2	76.5
David de Gea	37,289	2.8	72.0
Tomasz Kuszczak	2,802	2.7	80.6
Ben Foster	1,080	2.6	77.5
Tim Howard	4,003	2.6	73.1
Edwin van der Sar	16,591	2.5	76.1
Roy Carroll	2,880	2.4	79.4
Anders Lindegaard	1,710	2.3	67.2

Source: Opta – correct as of 9.4.25

Thomas Partey scores in Arsenal 1-1 draw with Brentford

Samuel Appiah — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 18:51:36 +0000

Thomas Partey found the back of the net, but his effort wasn’t enough to secure all three points as Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford on Saturday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium.

Fresh off a commanding win over Real Madrid earlier in the week, the Gunners came into the match hoping to maintain their momentum.

Mikel Arteta’s side thought they had broken the deadlock early on when Kieran Tierney headed home a cross from Ethan Nwaneri. However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR review confirmed Tierney was offside.

Despite dominating possession and chances in the first half, Arsenal were unable to find a breakthrough before the break.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 61st minute, with Thomas Partey slotting home after a brilliant setup by Declan Rice. It marked Partey’s fourth goal of the season for the North London club.

Brentford, however, responded just 13 minutes later. Nathan Collins headed the ball back into the Arsenal box, where Yoane Wissa reacted sharply to flick the ball past the keeper, leveling the score.

With the draw, Arsenal missed a chance to close the gap in the title race. Liverpool now have the opportunity to go 13 points clear when they host West Ham on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s attention shifts to their crucial Champions League second leg against Real Madrid in the Spanish capital on Wednesday.

I am hoping to win trophy with Black Stars – Jordan Ayew

Samuel Appiah — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 13:29:25 +0000

Black Stars captain, Jordan Ayew, has reaffirmed his determination to clinch a trophy with the senior national team.

Despite the last major title coming in 1982, the Black Stars have struggled to capture a significant trophy over the years, even reaching the finals of the AFCON in 1992, 2010, and 2015 but falling short.

Following back-to-back group-stage exits at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon and 2023 in Ivory Coast, the Black Stars failed to qualify for the upcoming 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

However, Ayew has continued to lead the team with resilience, guiding them to consecutive victories over Chad and Madagascar in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers during Matchdays 5 and 6.

In an interview, the Leicester City forward expressed his commitment to the team’s cause and shared his belief that patience and hard work would eventually bring the long-awaited silverware.

“I’ve been waiting for a national team trophy for many years. I have to keep on working and pushing, and if it comes, it comes,” Ayew said.

The victories in the March international break have lifted the Black Stars to the top of Group I with 15 points, offering hope for the future.

Some players are not committed – Kwabena Yeboah on Black Stars’ AFCON heartbreak

Samuel Appiah — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 11:17:19 +0000

Veteran broadcaster, Kwabena Yeboah, has raised concerns about the commitment levels of some Black Stars players following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

For the first time in 20 years, Ghana will not feature in Africa’s premier football tournament after finishing at the bottom of their qualification group with just three points.

The Black Stars failed to secure a single win during the qualifiers, registering three defeats and three draws in six matches.

In an interview with Metro TV, the President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) expressed disappointment, suggesting a lack of emotional connection and understanding of the AFCON’s significance—particularly among players born or raised outside the continent.

“It’s difficult for me to say this, but quite a number of our players do not even understand the importance of the Africa Cup of Nations,” Yeboah said.

“I won’t mention names, but several players born abroad or those who have stayed out for a long time don’t fully understand how crucial the Cup of Nations is to us Africans. However, they understand the significance of the World Cup.”

He cited the team’s fixture against Niger as an example, where up to eight key players reportedly withdrew from the squad under various pretenses.

“If you remember the game against Niger, as many as eight of our regulars turned their backs on the team, offering all kinds of reasons.

“They wouldn’t do the same thing for the World Cup. Look at how quickly they responded to the calls for the World Cup. Every single player knows the importance of the World Cup, and I’m happy that things are turning around,” he added.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on AFCON, the Black Stars bounced back during the March international break with back-to-back wins over Chad and Madagascar. Those victories have placed Ghana at the top of Group I with 15 points in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The national team is expected to regroup for a four-nation tournament in London in May, ahead of crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Chad and Mali in September.

‘His legacy will be eternal’ – Guardiola heaps praise on departing De Bruyne

Samuel Appiah — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 11:10:26 +0000

Pep Guardiola has said Kevin De Bruyne will leave an eternal legacy at Manchester City.

After a 10-year stint at City which has yielded six Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, five League Cups and a UEFA Champions League, the Belgian confirmed he would be departing at the end of the season.

There has been widespread praise for De Bruyne, and Guardiola paid a glowing tribute in an interview with TNT Sports.

“It was weird the first days, but now he’s feeling good,” Guardiola said when asked about De Bruyne’s mood in the aftermath of his announcement.

“He will get [a great reaction from the crowd] in our home games, even away games, for what he has done.

“His legacy will be eternal.”

De Bruyne was named in the starting XI for City’s home clash with Crystal Palace, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, and Guardiola hinted the 33-year-old would feature regularly in the remaining games this season.

“Of course it’s very nice to play at home and see him play in the last games here,” Guardiola said.

City’s aim for the remainder of the season is to secure a place in the top five to earn a place in next season’s Champions League.

“We have to win games to play in the Champions League next season,” Guardiola said. “It’s the last part of the season when you fight for the title or whatever so last seven games are important.

“It’s very different. It’s the first time we have done it [being out of the title race], so we have to accept it.

“We deserve [to be] where we are. But it’s still in our hands and as long as we have the chance we will fight for it.”

Everton win to dent Forest Champions League hopes

Samuel Appiah — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 11:00:59 +0000

Abdoulaye Doucoure scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner as Everton dealt Nottingham Forest’s Champions League hopes a huge blow with victory at the City Ground.

Forest were unable to find a breakthrough and the contest looked to be heading for a goalless draw, but the Blues had other ideas as substitute Dwight McNeil laid a pass through to Doucoure to coolly slot home a late winner.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have delivered a remarkable campaign by climbing to third in the Premier League, but victories for Manchester City and Aston Villa on Saturday moved them into the top five, leaving Forest looking on nervously.

In scorching conditions, the first half was a slow burner with the two sides calling both goalkeepers into making comfortable saves.

James Garner’s low shot and Iliman Ndiaye’s header were kept out by home keeper Matz Sels while at the other end, Jota Silva’s strike on the turn and tame nodded effort were straight at Jordan Pickford.

The sprightly Callum Hudson-Odoi looked to create some magic on the break in the second period but could not get enough curl onto a shot after cutting inside, as his attempt smothered by Pickford.

With time running out, Everton snatched a stunning win on the counter-attack to climb up to 14th and leave Forest shellshocked.

De Bruyne stars as City come from two down to hammer Palace 5-2

Samuel Appiah — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 11:00:51 +0000

Kevin De Bruyne inspired a rousing Manchester City comeback as Pep Guardiola’s side hit back from trailing Crystal Palace 2-0 to complete a thrilling 5-2 Premier League victory at the Etihad.

Eberechi Eze (8′) and Chris Richards (21′) had given Oliver Glasner’s in-form side a shock 2-0 lead at a sun-drenched Etihad before De Bruyne, who is set to end his 10-year stay at City at the end of the season, almost launched a one-man comeback mission that saw them move fourth top of the table.

The mood music of the contest appeared to change when Eze saw a fine finish narrowly ruled out for offside to make it 3-0 on 28 minutes before City assumed control.

After hitting the post with a thumping shot, De Bruyne bagged a free-kick from 25 yards on 33 minutes before the Belgium playmaker’s headed knockdown from a James McAtee cross was swept into the net by Omar Marmoush three minutes later.

With the momentum firmly with the home side, City brushed aside a visiting team who had been unbeaten in their previous 10 matches with De Bruyne setting up Mateo Kovavic for the third goal (47′) before McAtee bounded onto a long pass from goalkeeper Ederson to round Dean Henderson to make it four on 56 minutes.

Nico O’Reilly guided a deflected volley into the net (79′) for the fifth to secure a merited three points for the home side, who move two points above Chelsea and Newcastle in the race for a UEFA Champions League spot.

Palace remain 11th with 43 points from 31 matches as they continue to chase a European spot next term.

Dortmund draw thriller at leaders Bayern

Samuel Appiah — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 11:00:46 +0000

Bayern Munich missed the chance to move eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table as they were held to a draw by Borussia Dortmund in a pulsating game.

Having dominated the first half without making a breakthrough, Bayern fell behind when Maximilian Beier evaded his marker to head through the legs of Jonas Urbig with the visitors’ first effort on target.

Centre-back Waldemar Anton diverted a cross against the underside of his own crossbar as Dortmund rode their luck, but the introduction of Serge Gnabry changed the home side’s fortunes.

The former Arsenal forward’s run led to Raphael Guerreiro finding the equaliser against his old club, and Bayern completed the turnaround four minutes later – Gnabry bending beyond Gregor Kobel after beating two players with ease.

However, eighth-placed Dortmund – who remain six points from the Champions League places – earned a draw, Anton turning home the rebound after Serhou Guirassy’s acrobatic effort was saved into his path.

Despite dropping points, Vincent Kompany’s Bayern remain six points clear with five matches left, as closest rivals Bayer Leverkusen could only draw at home to Union Berlin earlier on Saturday.

While both sides suffered Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeats in midweek, Bayern played at home on Tuesday while Dortmund travelled to Barcelona 24 hours later.

That showed early on, Harry Kane twice thwarted by Kobel in a first half where the hosts seemed to have more energy.

Dortmund’s opener was a smash-and-grab and came as a result of some lackadaisical defending from Kim Min-jae, but it looked like the direct running of Gnabry would swing the result in Bayern’s favour.

With the score at 2-2 both teams had chances to win it, former Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross lobbing just over for Niko Kovac’s side and ex-Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise sidefooting wide under little pressure.

Dortmund have the unenviable task of overturning a 4-0 deficit against Barcelona in their Champions League second leg on Tuesday, with Bayern facing Inter Milan in Italy on Wednesday – trailing 2-1 from the first leg.

Barcelona go seven points clear with narrow Leganes win

Samuel Appiah — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 11:00:29 +0000

Barcelona moved seven points clear at the LaLiga summit after a narrow 1-0 win over lowly Leganes.

Jorge Saenz’s own-goal early in the second half was enough to give the Blaugrana victory at Estadio Municipal de Butarque.

Leganes were 1-0 winners in December’s reverse fixture, and they went close in the 12th minute, with Wojciech Szczesny producing a smart reflex save to deny Adria Alti from Dani Raba’s cutback.

At the other end, Marko Dmitrovic reacted quickly to push away Jules Kounde’s deflected cross, which was drifting dangerously towards the top corner.

However, Barca broke through within three minutes of the restart, as Jorge Saenz turned Raphinha’s low cross into his own net.

Fermin Lopez pulled a brilliant opportunity wide of the post soon after, but the visitors were forced to hold onto their lead.

Dani Raba saw a header ruled out for offside, while substitute Diego Garcia shot wide with only Szczesny to beat.

Inigo Martinez then produced a perfectly timed sliding challenge in stoppage time to prevent former Barca forward Munir El Haddadi from getting a shot away, as Barca held out to move a step closer to the LaLiga title.