Day: July 2, 2025

Forward Kamaldeen Sulemana pens Atalanta deal from Southampton
by FSL News

Forward Kamaldeen Sulemana pens Atalanta deal from Southampton

Forward Kamaldeen Sulemana has moved from Southampton to Italian side Atalanta for a price that could reach £18 million.

For a club-record £22 million, the 23-year-old was acquired in 2023 and made 74 appearances for the Saints. At Atalanta, Sulemana meets his former Southampton coach, Ivan Juric.

On transfer deadline day in February 2023, the Ghana international moved to Southampton from the French team Rennes. In two and a half years spent on the south coast, he had four goals and seven assists.

Southampton has also traded forward Paul Onuachu, who was acquired under then-manager Nathan Jones in the same transfer window as Sulemana.

The newly renovated Burkina Faso's August 4th Stadium
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF green light Burkina Faso’s August 4th Stadium

After years under suspension, the Confederation of African Football, CAF, has let the August 4 Stadium in Ouagadougou once again host international events.

A significant milestone is being celebrated by Burkinabè football as the Stallions, the national team of Burkina Faso, could be ready to play at home once again.

Due to inadequate amenities, CAF banned the stadium in March 2021. But following extensive rehabilitation by the national football federation (FBF) and the Burkinabè government, the stadium now satisfies CAF’s stringent requirements.

Praising Burkina Faso’s attempts to renovate the August 4 Stadium, Samson Adamu, CAF’s Director of Tournaments and Events, signalled a fresh start for the Stallions.

After three years playing their home games overseas, they will come back to a newly refurbished stadium in September, which should spark an emotional and historical atmosphere with local fan support.

The stadium has become a symbol of national pride, and this reopening shows Burkina Faso’s rising ambition in African football.

As the nation gets ready to greet the Stallions back home, enthusiasm is rising.

The newly renovated Burkina Faso's August 4th Stadium
The newly renovated Burkina Faso's August 4th Stadium
CAF green light Burkina Faso's August 4th Stadium after four-year ban
CAF green light Burkina Faso's August 4th Stadium after four-year ban
Women's AFCON teams arrive in Morocco in style ahead of kickoff
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Women’s AFCON teams arrive in style ahead of kickoff

Top women’s football teams from Africa, including Zambia, South Africa, and Nigeria, arrived in Morocco ahead of TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). set to start from July 5–26, 2025, to compete.  Among the first to arrive were South Africa, the reigning champions.

The South African team, Banyana Banyana, arrived in Casablanca on Wednesday following a 24-hour journey from Johannesburg that included a stop in Ghana.

They settled in and promptly started training despite travel delays. “It was a long and exhausting trip, but we have arrived and settled in,” said head coach Dr. Desiree Ellis. We were able to hold our first training session. Being here and getting started for the major tournament is really exciting.

Along with Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania, South Africa is in Group C. On July 7 Ghana is their first opponent; on July 11 Tanzania and on July 14 Mali follow. Oujda’s Honneur Stadium will host all matches.

In Mohammédia, meanwhile, Zambia’s Copper Queens (In photo) arrived in style as they get ready with local and foreign players, Coach Nora Häuptle is guiding high-intensity workouts at the Lanoria Club.

On 5 July, Zambia will face Morocco in the opening match at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. They will also compete against Senegal and DR Congo on 9 and 12 July, respectively, in Mohammédia.

Morocco is currently preparing by training in Rabat and will play a friendly against Tanzania on Saturday. In Group A, they are joined by Zambia, Senegal, and DR Congo. Senegal has just arrived in Morocco for the tournament.

Group B features Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana. Excitement is building for this major women’s football competition as top talent gathers in Morocco next week.

Ghana's Semenyo extends Bournemouth contract until 2030
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana’s Semenyo extends Bournemouth contract until 2030

Ghanaian International Antoine Semenyo has extended his Bournemouth deal that will keep him at Vitality Stadium through the summer of 2030.

The 25-year-old Ghanaian forward originally signed a long-term contract with the team 12 months ago after joining from Bristol City in January 2023.

He has made 89 appearances and scored 22 goals since joining, 13 of which came during Bournemouth’s stellar 2024–25 campaign, which saw them finish ninth in the Premier League.

Semenyo stated, “I’m really happy to have signed ahead of returning for pre-season, and I’ve grown so much at the club, both on and off the pitch.” “I have nothing but praise for everyone at the club, from the supporters to the employees and my teammates. It’s an amazing location.

Semenyo had been linked with interest from Manchester United, Liverpool, and Tottenham this summer, so his new contract is a significant boost for manager Andoni Iraola, especially after Milos Kerkez moved to Anfield and Dean Huijsen joined Real Madrid.

With Dean Huijsen joining Real Madrid and Milos Kerkez moving to Anfield, Semenyo’s new contract is a huge boost for manager Andoni Iraola, who had been linked to interest from Manchester United, Liverpool, and Tottenham this summer.