afcon Archives - Wontumi Online

13 Nov

Who Needs What To Qualify For AFCON 2025?

Wontumi1Sportsafcon

By this time next week we will know the 24 teams who will contest the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with the final two rounds of qualifiers set to throw up a number of winner-takes-all matches. Ghana are the biggest name in danger of missing out on the tournament in Morocco, with the Black Stars needing to pick up maximum points and hope Sudan suffer two defeats. The top two in each of the 12 qualifying groups progress, with former champions Algeria, Cameroon, DR Congo, Egypt and Senegal already assured of their places alongside Angola, Burkina Faso and the hosts.…

16 Oct

Abandon AFCON, World Cup Dream And Focus On Development – GFA Told

Wontumi1Sportsafcon, GFA

Former Black Stars defender, Shilla Illiasu, has emphasized the need for a comprehensive long-term strategy to develop football in Ghana. His comments follow the national team’s disappointing 2-0 loss to Sudan on Tuesday at the Martyrs of February Stadium, which came after a goalless draw in the first leg at Accra Sports Stadium last week. This defeat has cast doubt on Ghana’s prospects of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, leaving the team sitting in third place in Group F after four matches. Illiasu, who represented Ghana in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, urged a…

11 Mar

Cameroon Suspends Youngest AFCON Player And 61 Others Over Age Cheating

Wontumi1Sportsafcon, Cameroon, football age

The Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has banned 62 players for its upcoming domestic season playoffs over age cheating. Notably, this roster includes the youngest participant from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, who has been disqualified from the competition due to allegations of age falsification. Midfielder Wilfred Nathan Douala garnered attention before the commencement of the AFCON in the Ivory Coast. Doubts arose regarding his age, listed at a mere 17 years old, prompting scrutiny from social media users who observed that he appeared older than his documented age. https://twitter.com/DeadlineDayLive/status/1767145183374696569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1767145183374696569%7Ctwgr%5Ebb26d04e6985b79371dbe1f229c40bc001f09b2b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adomonline.com%2Fcameroon-suspends-youngest-afcon-player-and-61-others-over-age-cheating%2F These suspicions have now been validated as Douala, the youngest…

10 Jan

Playing At AFCON Is More Difficult Than The World Cup – Andre Ayew

Wontumi1Sportsafcon, Andre Dede Ayew

Black Stars captain, Andre Ayew has said playing at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is more difficult than the Fifa World Cup. The 32-year-old said this while addressing his playing teammates, President Akufo-Addo and the Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif at a farewell dinner on Tuesday night ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast. At the event, President Akufo-Addo charged the Black Stars to believe in the possibility of winning the AFCON title despite the daunting challenge of ending a 42-year title drought. The Le Havre attacker, however, admitted how difficult it is to compete at the tournament…

29 Nov

We Will Lament Inaki Williams “AFCON” Absence- Athletic Bilbao Head Coach

Wontumi1Sportsafcon, Athletico Bilbao, Ernesto Valverde, Inaki Williams

Athletic Bilbao head coach Ernesto Valverde says his team will lament Black Stars forward Inaki Williams’ expected absence due to his participation in the 2023 AFCON. Next year’s AFCON will be held in Cote D’Ivoire and Williams is heavily tipped to be named in Chris Hughton’s Black Stars squad. Speaking to the media after seeing Williams score in a 1-1 draw with Girona, Valverde touched on the issue about his top scorer’s impending departure. “Inaki is always in a good place. By the time he goes to the AFCON, we will start by being sharp but at the moment,…

27 Sep

I Am Ready For 2023 AFCON – Ghana Striker Antoine Semenyo

Wontumi1Sports2023 AFCON, afcon, Antoine Semenyo

Ghana striker, Antoine Semenyo says even though the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be tough, he is ready for the challenge. The A.F.C. Bournemouth played a vital role in the country’s qualification to the tournament which is slated to be hosted in Ivory Coast next year. Semenyo grabbed an assist in Ghana’s final group game against the Central African Republic (CAR) at the Baba Yara Stadium as the West African country wrapped up the qualifiers with a 2-1 win. Ghana, who finished as Group E winners with 12 points will know its group opponents on October 12. With…

14 Jul

2026 World Cup: We Will Try Our Best To Qualify – Asamoah Gyan

Wontumi1Sportsafcon, ASAMOAH GYAN

Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan says Ghana will try their best to qualify for their fifth World Cup despite being handed a tricky group at the draw which took place on Thursday afternoon. Ghana will face Mali alongside, familiar foes, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Comoros, and Chad after being paired in Group I. Gyan was among the African football legends who conducted the draw which was held in Ivory Coast and is hoping the Black Stars have what it takes to sail through. The 37-year-old is sure of Ghana’s chances despite their recent form dip and dismal performances. “It is not…

22 Jun

Favorable Weather Could Help Ghana Win Afcon In Cote D’Ivoire – GFA

Wontumi1Sportsafcon, BLACK STARS

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is confident next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will present Ghana a realistic chance of finally reclaiming the trophy, because of similar weather conditions between Ghana and tournament hosts, Ivory Coast. Ghana shares a border with Ivory Coast on its west side. The country has still not qualified to the competition – after a goalless stalemate with Madagascar – but ahead of the final window in September, Prosper Harrison Addo, GFA General Secretary, is already confident the Black Stars could win it all. “The weather and everything [in Ivory Coast] suits us, so we’re…

19 Jun

Hughton Relies On Injured Players’ Return To Boost Black Stars

Wontumi1Sportsafcon, Chris Hughton

Ghana coach Chris Hughton remains hopeful that several key Black Stars players who missed the team’s match against Madagascar will recover in time for their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Central African Republic. The team’s failure to secure a victory resulted in a goalless draw, delaying their qualification until September when they face the Central African Republic. Leading up to the match, Ghana’s squad was without the services of Tariq Lamptey, Antoine Semenyo, Baba Abdul Rahman, Inaki Williams, and Alexander Djiku, who were all sidelined due to injuries. Gideon Mensah was also ruled out after the…

07 Jun

‘If We Do What Is Right, We Will’ – Tariq Lamptey On Ending Black Stars Trophy Drought

Wontumi1Sportsafcon, BLACK STARS, lawrence Baidoo, Tariq Lamptey

Ghana international Tariq Lamptey says he is confident the Black Stars can end their 41-year wait for a major title if they are able to get things right within the team. Ghana is yet to win any laurel since beating Libya on penalties to win the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tripoli. What has followed after has been a series of heartbreak and poor performances with the Black Stars losing the three finals they have reached on the continental stage in 1992, 2010 and 2015. Even at a time when Ghana had one of the best squads on…