Egyptian giants Zamalek SC are eager to sign Ghanaian left-back Abdul Fatawu Hamidu from Medeama SC, according to reports in the local media.
Maxwell Konadu has explained why he finally accepted the offer to join Black Leopards after initially turning it down.
The former Ghana assistant coach has been unveiled on a three-year contract with the Motsepe Foundation Championship side and is tasked with leading the club back to the DStv Premiership by the end of the season.
Konadu, 51, joins Black Leopards after a successful season in Ghana, where he won the FA Cup and helped Nsoatreman FC qualify for their first-ever CAF Confederation Cup.
Reflecting on his decision, Konadu told FARPost, "The first one, the discussions didn’t go well, so there was a communication breakdown. I decided to join a small team in Ghana, and Mr Thidiela also decided to appoint a new coach. So it’s football, and it happens."
Despite the initial setback, Konadu was approached again by the club. "It was not a fight, so he [David Thidiela] came back the second time, and it worked, so that’s football. I was so happy when I had his call for the second time. So we decided to give it a try and see if we can really do our best to get the team where it deserves."
Konadu emphasized the importance of persistence in the industry. "You know, in this industry, it happens everywhere. When you have a team that wants your service, at least they come knocking at your door once, and it doesn’t work out. They come the second time then you sit back and think about it. That is why I decided to come because the owner of the team, Mr. [David] Thidiela himself with Chief [Thidiela], came knocking at my door for the second time in the past two seasons."
Konadu is eager to take on this new challenge with Black Leopards. "I am also ambitious, and I like new challenges. So I decided to consider the move here to Leopards," he said.
He acknowledged the club’s history and the difficulty of their current situation. "I know about the club, especially when they were in the elite league. Now that they are in the first division, they need to fight back, which is not very easy."
Konadu believes in the vision of the club's leadership. "When you have a leader that wants to get the team back to the PSL, I think we need to throw our support behind the team to try and fight. See if we can push the team upwards."
Niger's coach, Badou Zaki, has shared his optimism about his team's prospects in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where they will face Ghana, Angola, and Sudan in Group F.
In an interview with CAFOnline following the draw, Zaki assessed the strengths and weaknesses of their group opponents. He acknowledged Ghana's historical status as a football powerhouse with a team of skilled professionals but noted that the current squad is not as dominant as in previous years.
"We are in an affordable group. We have every chance of qualifying. For me, Ghana is a football country with a selection of great professionals. But it is not the team of 5 or 6 years ago," Zaki stated.
He also commended Angola for their recent performances, describing their football as modern and fast-paced, which has allowed them to challenge top teams effectively.
"Angola showed a good face during the last CAN and played beautiful, modern, fast football. It is a selection that has shaken up the big teams in Côte d'Ivoire," Zaki said.
Regarding Sudan, Zaki highlighted their impressive position at the top of their World Cup qualifying group, recognizing them as a significant threat in the qualifiers.
"I know Sudan very well. They are first in their qualifying group for the World Cup. They will be dangerous, but we know our strengths and we know that we can go far," he added.
Niger’s qualification campaign begins in September 2024 with matches against Sudan and Ghana as they aim for a spot in the 2025 AFCON tournament.
Ezzaki Badou, head coach of Niger anticipates an easy group after being paired with Ghana, Angola and Sudan in Group F ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Niger senior men national team head coach, Ezzaki Badou, famously known as 'Zaki', has stated very clear that, the Black Stars are currently not part of the giants in African football and strongly feels they can edge past them in the upcoming qualifiers.
Niger coach, Badou Zaki, believes his team has a strong chance in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, considering their group to be manageable.
Niger has been drawn into Group F, alongside Ghana, Angola, and Sudan.
In response to the draw, the Moroccan coach expressed confidence in his team's ability to qualify, describing the group as affordable.
"We are in an affordable group," he told CAFOnline.com. "We have every chance of qualifying."
"For me, Ghana is a football country with a selection with great professionals. But it is not the team of 5 or 6 years ago. Even at home, they can lose. Angola showed a good face during the last CAN and beautiful football, modern, fast football. It is a selection that has shaken up the big teams in Côte d'Ivoire. I know Sudan very well. They are first in their qualifying group for the World Cup. They will be dangerous, but we know our strengths and we know that we can go far," he added.
Niger's campaign will begin in September 2024 with matches against Sudan and Ghana.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the dates for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers (AFCON).
The head of Legal and Regulatory at the Sudanese Football Federation, Badreldin Ibrahim, has revealed details of the forthcoming home match against Ghana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Badreldin Ibrahim, the Legal and Regulatory Officer of the Sudanese Football Federation has underscored the significance of professionalism from coach Kwesi Appiah as Sudan gears up to face the Black Stars in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Former Ghana international, Laryea Kingston understands that Kwesi Appiah has a huge advantage over the Black Stars in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying clash.
The immigration boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s has transformed the European Championship into a more culturally diverse event than ever before.
Former Black Stars coach, James Kwesi Appiah has accepted the challenge to face his own country Ghana in the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
