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WAFCON 2026 draw set for January 15 as Black Queens anticipate opponents

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WAFCON 2026 draw set for January 15 as Black Queens anticipate opponents

WAFCON 2026 Draw Set for Rabat as Expanded Tournament Takes Shape

The roadmap to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will officially be unveiled next Thursday when the Confederation of African Football conducts the tournament draw in Rabat, Morocco.

CAF has confirmed January 15 as the date for the ceremony, which will determine the group-stage fixtures for the expanded 16-nation competition. This upcoming edition represents a historic shift for the tournament, marking the first time WAFCON will feature 16 teams, up from the previous 12.

Ghana’s Black Queens will head into the draw with a strong advantage, having been placed in Pot 1 alongside the continent’s elite. Their top-seeded status follows an impressive showing at the last tournament, where they claimed bronze after edging South Africa in a penalty shootout. Ghana’s rise to third place in Africa’s 2025 rankings further solidified their favourable position.

Morocco will once again welcome Africa’s finest women’s national teams, hosting the tournament for the second straight time. The North African nation will be hoping to replicate the organizational success of the previous edition, which saw Nigeria lift the trophy.

The list of qualified teams features a diverse mix of established powers and emerging contenders, including Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Zambia, Senegal, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Algeria, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania.

Beyond continental glory, the stakes are even higher this time, as the tournament will double as Africa’s qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The draw ceremony is scheduled to begin at 13:00 GMT and is expected to attract widespread attention across the continent.

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Featured

Antoine Semenyo Delivers One Last Moment of Magic as Bournemouth Stun Spurs

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Antoine Semenyo Delivers One Last Moment of Magic as Bournemouth Stun Spurs

Antoine Semenyo’s stunning winner seals farewell victory for Bournemouth

Antoine Semenyo ensured his Bournemouth chapter ended unforgettably, producing a dramatic stoppage-time winner to complete a sensational 3–2 comeback against Tottenham Hotspur.

Making what is expected to be his final outing for the Cherries, the Ghanaian forward marked his 110th appearance in style, rising to the occasion when the clock showed 90+5 minutes. With the Vitality Stadium holding its breath, Semenyo collected a pass from David Brooks, shifted the ball onto his stronger right foot, and fired a precise shot into the far corner to spark wild celebrations.

Just moments earlier, Bournemouth appeared to be heading for frustration after Tottenham had clawed their way back into the match, leveling the score in the 78th minute through Joao Palhinha’s acrobatic bicycle kick. The momentum seemed to favor Spurs — until Semenyo had other ideas.

His late intervention turned disbelief into euphoria, sealing a memorable victory and providing the perfect send-off ahead of his anticipated move to Manchester City. As the final whistle blew, the winger was greeted with a heartfelt standing ovation from every section of the stadium.

The 26-year-old leaves the south coast on a high, having delivered a final performance that underlined his importance to the club. Across 20 appearances this season, Semenyo contributed ten goals and three assists — numbers that reflect both his impact and consistency.

It was a fitting farewell for a player who saved his finest moment for the very end, signing off in a way Bournemouth supporters will not forget anytime soon.

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AFCON

AFCON Will Humble You: 119 Minutes of Pride, Pain, and Pure Drama

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AFCON Will Humble You: 119 Minutes of Pride, Pain, and Pure Drama

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has a special way of reminding everyone why it is the most unpredictable tournament in world football. One moment, you are standing tall, celebrated like a hero. The next, football reality hits hard. AFCON does not forgive, it humbles.

For 119 minutes, DR Congo stood firm. Disciplined, fearless, and full of belief, they matched Algeria step for step in a tense battle that tested nerves, legs, and hearts. Every tackle mattered. Every clearance felt like a goal. The Congolese bench believed. The fans believed. Even neutrals could sense something special was unfolding.

On the touchline, emotions ran high. Confidence turned into hope, and hope flirted with history. It looked like one of those AFCON nights where resilience wins and underdogs write their own story. The atmosphere said it all — this was African football at its rawest.

Then came the moment that changed everything. Just when it seemed penalties were inevitable, Algeria found the breakthrough. One decisive action. One cruel twist. After 119 minutes of resistance, the wall finally cracked. Dreams that had stood so strong suddenly collapsed under the weight of reality.

The images told the story better than words ever could — from standing tall in pride to being carried away in disbelief. A powerful reminder that in AFCON, nothing is guaranteed until the final whistle.

This is why we love this tournament. This is why AFCON commands respect. It gives hope, delivers heartbreak, and produces unforgettable drama in equal measure.

AFCON Will Humble You: 119 Minutes of Courage Before Algeria’s Late Heartbreak

AFCON Will Humble You: 119 Minutes of Pride, Pain, and Pure Drama
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Black Stars

Jordan Ayew And Fatawu Issahaku Granted Leicester City Victory Over West Bromwich

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Jordan Ayew And Fatawu Issahaku Granted Leicester City Victory Over West Bromwich

The two Ghanaian internationals Jordan Ayew and Fatawu Issahaku were both on the score sheet for Leicester City as they played against West Bromwich in the English Championship.

Leicester City, in the round of 26 of the English Championship, played against West Bromwich and were able to defeat them by two goals to one. Leicester City had the lead in the game during the eighteenth minute from the Ghana Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew, with an assist from Jordan James.

West Bromwich put in much effort to equalise the game and were successful in the thirty-fourth minute when Alex Mowatt delivered an astonishing pass for Grant Karlan to score against Leicester. The first half of the game ended with both teams scoring and all bidding for a point in the game.

The second half of the game was very crucial as both teams were trying their best to secure the three points. The game drew close to the end with a scoreline of 1-1, and in the injury time, Fatawu Issahaku of City doubled the goals and helped secure the full three points.

Watch the highlights of the game below:

https://youtu.be/3_MzQbhsQYA

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Black Stars

Mohammed Salisu Faces Race Against Time for 2026 World Cup After Serious Knee Injury

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Mohammed Salisu Faces Race Against Time for 2026 World Cup After Serious Knee Injury

Ghana defender Mohammed Salisu is in serious doubt for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a major injury setback.

AC Monaco center-back, Mohammed Salisu, picked up the injury during his club’s Ligue 1 clash against Olympique Lyon. After medical assessments, the French side confirmed that Salisu had suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.

The injury comes as a big blow to Monaco, where Salisu is a regular starter and a key figure in the club’s defensive line. ACL injuries are among the most severe in football, often requiring a recovery period of around eight to nine months away from competitive action.

Salisu now becomes the second Monaco player dealing with an ACL injury, after Takumi Minamino, who has already been sidelined with a similar issue.

Mohammed Salisu Faces Race Against Time for 2026 World Cup After Serious Knee Injury

For Ghana, the timing could not be worse. Salisu has been an important part of the Black Stars squad, including during the World Cup qualification campaign. With the global showpiece scheduled for just six months from now, the 25-year-old defender faces an uphill battle to regain full fitness in time, putting his participation in the tournament in serious doubt.

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More Sports

Anthony Joshua posts update after car crash

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Anthony Joshua Breaks Silence After Tragic Nigeria Car Crash

British boxing star Anthony Joshua has spoken publicly for the first time following a devastating road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two people close to him.

The 36-year-old former heavyweight champion was involved in a fatal collision near Lagos while travelling as a passenger in a Lexus SUV. The vehicle reportedly crashed into a stationary truck on a busy expressway, resulting in the deaths of Joshua’s close friends and team associates, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.

Joshua sustained injuries in the crash and was rushed to hospital, where he received treatment before being discharged last Wednesday. He has since returned to the United Kingdom. Funeral prayers for Ghami and Ayodele were held at a mosque in London on Sunday, attended by family members and loved ones.

On Sunday morning, Joshua shared an emotional post on Instagram, uploading two images that showed him seated beside his mother and relatives of the deceased. The photographs included the grieving mothers of Ghami and Ayodele, one of whom was holding a framed photo of her son. Joshua accompanied the post with a brief but powerful caption: “My Brother’s Keeper.”

Meanwhile, legal proceedings are underway in Nigeria. The driver of the SUV, identified as 46-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, appeared before the Sagamu Magistrates’ Court on Friday. According to police sources, he faces multiple charges, including causing death by dangerous driving. He was granted bail set at five million naira (£2,578) and remanded in custody pending fulfilment of bail conditions. The case is scheduled to resume on January 20.

Joshua, who was born in Watford, has strong family ties to Sagamu in Ogun State, close to the scene of the accident. A family source revealed that the boxer was travelling to the town to visit relatives for New Year celebrations when the tragic incident occurred.

The Olympic gold medallist had been spending time in Nigeria following his high-profile victory over American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19.

Anthony Joshua Breaks Silence After Tragic Nigeria Car Crash

Anthony Joshua Breaks Silence After Tragic Nigeria Car Crash

Source: BBC

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AFCON

AFCON 2025: Brahim Diaz’s Historic Strike Fires Morocco into Quarter-Finals

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AFCON 2025: Brahim Diaz’s Historic Strike Fires Morocco into Quarter-Finals

Brahim Diaz’s historic strike gives Morocco victory over Tanzania to reach quarter-finals

Brahim Diaz etched his name into African football history on Sunday evening as his solitary goal sealed a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Morocco over Tanzania, sending the Atlas Lions into the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Round of 16 encounter at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah began with Tanzania showing no signs of inferiority. Despite entering the clash as underdogs, the Taifa Stars started brightly, pressing high and competing aggressively in the early exchanges.

Morocco gradually grew into the game and began to assert their dominance. In the 15th minute, Ismael Saibari thought he had opened the scoring with a powerful header, but celebrations were cut short after a VAR review ruled the goal out for offside.

The disallowed goal seemed to unsettle the Atlas Lions momentarily, and despite controlling possession for long spells, they were unable to break down a resolute Tanzanian defence before halftime, with the teams heading into the break goalless.

AFCON 2025: Brahim Diaz’s Historic Strike Fires Morocco into Quarter-Finals

After the restart, Morocco returned with renewed intensity, pinning Tanzania deep in their own half as they searched for a breakthrough. Achraf Hakimi came agonisingly close on the hour mark when his curling free-kick rattled the crossbar.

The decisive moment arrived just four minutes later. Hakimi turned provider with a perfectly weighted pass to Brahim Diaz. The Real Madrid forward displayed superb footwork to beat his marker before drilling a low shot into the near post, leaving the Tanzanian goalkeeper with no chance.

That moment of brilliance proved decisive, as Morocco held firm to secure a narrow but deserved 1-0 victory and book their place in the quarter-finals.

Diaz’s match-winning strike was also a historic one, making him the first Moroccan player to score in four consecutive AFCON matches—a remarkable achievement that further underlines his growing influence on the continental stage.

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Black Stars

Ghana Midfielder Abu Francis Makes Encouraging Progress Ahead of World Cup

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Ghana Midfielder Abu Francis Makes Encouraging Progress Ahead of World Cup

Ghana football fans have received a welcome boost ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as midfielder Abu Francis reports steady progress in his recovery from a serious injury.

The 24-year-old Toulouse star suffered a double fracture during an international friendly against Japan last November at Toyota Stadium, a match the Black Stars lost 2-0.

In a recent video shared by the Ghana Football Association, Francis expressed gratitude to fans for their support.

“My recovery is going well. I want to sincerely thank everyone for the love and encouragement you have shown the Black Stars this year, especially during my injury in Japan. Your support has given me the strength and courage to keep pushing forward. I hope to be back on the field soon and wish everyone a happy New Year. Please continue to support the Black Stars,” he said.

Francis fractured both his tibia and fibula on November 14, 2025, during the Kirin Cup match, but his recovery may give him a chance to feature in coach Otto Addo’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup across Canada, USA, and Mexico.

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AFCON

We want to win the AFCON title to ease the war in Sudan – Kwesi Appiah

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We want to win the AFCON title to ease the war in Sudan - Kwesi Appiah

Sudan Coach Kwesi Appiah Targets AFCON Glory Amid National Turmoil

Sudan’s head coach, Kwesi Appiah, has declared his ambition to lead the Falcons of Jediane to victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hoping that success on the pitch can bring some relief to his war-torn nation.

The team will take on Senegal in the Round of 16 at Tangier Grand Stadium today, with kick-off set for 16:00 GMT.

In a press briefing, Appiah acknowledged the tough road ahead but emphasized that Sudan is determined to make a deep run in the tournament. The Ghanaian coach revealed that his squad is driven by more than just football—they carry the hopes of a country struggling with prolonged conflict.

We want to win the AFCON title to ease the war in Sudan - Kwesi Appiah

“We believe that winning AFCON could help ease the suffering caused by war back home, perhaps even inspire peace. Being away from our families and our homeland is extremely challenging, but we are committed to giving our best on the field to uplift our people,” Appiah said.

Sudan has faced years of civil unrest, which has tragically claimed thousands of lives and forced the national team to host all their AFCON 2025 qualifying matches abroad. Despite these hardships, Appiah and his players remain focused on their mission: to bring pride and hope to the Sudanese people through football.

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Black Stars

2026 World Cup: Otto Addo will be successful with Black Stars – Laryea Kingston

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2026 World Cup: Otto Addo will be successful with Black Stars – Laryea Kingston

Otto Addo has the support of former Ghanaian international Laryea Kingston to guide the side to victory before the 2026 World Cup.

Addo oversaw Ghana’s qualification for the Munial, which will be place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico next summer, after failing to lead the Black Stars to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competition.

After ten games in the qualification series, the Black Stars finished as the group winners with 25 points.

Kingston thinks Otto Addo, 50, is capable of leading the team to victory despite calls for his dismissal prior to the competition.

However, the former Black Starlets coach advised Addo to make sure the team’s performance was consistent.

“Otto Addo has what it takes to lead every team because of the experience he has now,” Kingston told SuperSport Blitz.

2026 World Cup: Otto Addo will be successful with Black Stars – Laryea Kingston

“He has been at FC Nordsjaelland before going to Borussia Dortmund, a side that is just like Nordsjaelland, so I believe that in the long term, he will be a success for the national team, but there should be consistency,” he added.

The Black Stars will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, face England on June 23 in Boston, and wrap up the group stage against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.

Following early exits in both the 2014 and 2022 World Cups, Ghana will be aiming for a more successful run in the expanded 2026 tournament.

Meanwhile, Otto Addo is expected to name his final squad for the tournament on June 1.

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